By COOPER STANLEY
The Oklahoma legislative voters in November will vote on a bill to change Oklahoma’s alcohol laws, specifically targeting beer sold in grocery and convince stores.
Bill 383 would essentially allow for more lenient alcohol laws in Oklahoma. Currently the highest percentage of beer Oklahomans can by in a convenience or grocery store is a beer at 3.2% or less. Convenience and grocery stores also can only sell beer, if bill 383 is passed, these stores would be allowed to sell full strength beer up to 8.99% and also be allowed to sell wine and spirits for the first time at 15%. In Oklahoma only liquor stores are allowed to sell full strength beer, however even these stores have strict rules that will be affected if bill 383 is passed. Liquor stores are only allowed to sell beer and wine warm and between the hours of 10 a.m. and 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday. If bill 383 is passed this will allow all liquor stores to sell cold beer and wine, as well as increase the hours that liquor and beer can be purchased to 10 a.m. to midnight Monday through Saturday.
Bill 383 only has one more vote to go through to be finalized, as it has already gone through senate and won with a vote of 33 to 12, and then gone through the house by a closer vote of 52 to 45. A majority vote will pass Bill 383 in this upcoming Oklahoma legislature vote.
Northwestern business administration student, 22 year old, Christian Hammerl said “I think the it’s a good idea. They already sell liquor in stores that are of higher percent than beer, and the higher alcohol content beer just tastes better, which is why most people buy beer in the first place.” Bill 383 will be passed or rejected this upcoming month by the Oklahoma legislator, if passed; the rule change will be in effect November 1st, 2018.