Before

Oklahoma grocery stores were only be able to sell beer below 3.2% ABV for many years. Oklahoma was also the only state that prohibited refrigerated alcohol statewide. The Yes on 792 coalition successfully placed a law change on the 2016 ballot to allow full-strength beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores. In November 2016, 66% of Oklahoma voters approved the amendment allowing grocery stores to sell beer and convenience stores to sell beer and wine above 3.2% ABV. The new amendment took effect in October 2018.

 

After

Oklahoma grocery, convenience, drug, and club stores are now allowed to sell beer under 8.99% ABV and wine under 15% ABV. There is no limit on the number of licenses imposed. Chain store must get a licenses for beer and wine separately.

 

Impact

The Oklahoma ABLE Commission reported record revenue after its law change, with revenue of nearly $14 million in FY2019 up from $7.5 million before the law change. At the same time, it did not increase the number of Oklahoma outlets … nor did it significantly decrease them. Only a small number of independent Oklahoma liquor stores closed by the end of 2018 at the same time that the state issued 3,300 new beer and 1,700 new wine licenses, according to the Oklahoma ABLE Commission. As for underage access, an Oklahoma study found that the most common sources of underage access are parties, friends, and adult purchasers - not retail chain stores. This study also found that complying with state alcohol access laws does not directly correlate with underage alcohol use and even discourages it. With this change also came greater selection of alcohol products and lower prices. Oklahoma consumers reported seeing the same alcohol.