The eighteen control or monopoly jurisdictions as of June 2012 are:
Alabama – Liquor stores are state-run or on-premise establishments with a special off-premise license.[2]
Idaho – Maintains a monopoly over sales of beverages with greater than 16% ABV.
Iowa – All spirits are sold to privately owned retailers by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Beer and wine can be sold by private license-holders.[3]
Maine – State-contracted to private businesses for commission.
Maryland – Private liquor stores sell beer, wine, and spirits in most of the state. However under state law, Montgomery, Somerset and Wicomico counties are county alcohol-controlled, which mandates that off-premise liquor sales are to be conducted only at county-owned and operated stores. An exception exists in Montgomery County, in that four grocery stores have grandfathered licenses.[4] Until 2008, Dorchester County was an alcohol control county until the County Council voted to permanently close the county owned liquor dispensaries, with subsequent change in the state law.[5] Until July, 2014, Worcester was an alcohol control county until the Maryland General Assembly abolished the Liquor Control Board by statute, replacing it with the Department of Liquor Control.[6]
Michigan – Does not operate retail outlets, but maintains a monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only.
Mississippi – State-contracted liquor stores.
Montana – State-contracted liquor stores, modeled after the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission.[7]
New Hampshire – Beer and wine can be sold at supermarkets and convenience stores. Spirits and liqueurs are sold only in state-run liquor stores.
North Carolina – Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Other spirits must be sold in liquor stores owned by local ABC boards. The State ABC Commission controls wholesale distribution and oversees local ABC boards. Prices for bottles of liquor are specified by the North Carolina ABC Commission and are the same throughout the state. The price list is updated quarterly. "Sales" on certain liquors are held monthly, and all ABC outlets in the state use the same special pricing. "Holiday" or "gift" packages, typically released by distillers around Thanksgiving and Christmas, are sold at the same price as standard bottles of the enclosed liquor, regardless of the included accessories (flasks, rocks glasses, shot glasses, cocktail shakers, etc.).
Ohio – Appoints businesses to sell liquor, as agents of the state, for a commission. These stores have a monopoly on sales of beverages with an alcohol content equal to or greater than 21.5% ABV (43 proof). Beer, wine, mixed alcoholic beverages, and "low proof" alcohol are sold by the aforementioned contract liquor agencies as well as by businesses (bars, restaurants, convenience stores, and gasoline/convenience store retailers) which have been issued an annual permit to sell. Privileges (such as sale for carryout only, or for consumption on the premises) and hours during which sales are allowed are dependent on the terms of the permit.
Oregon – Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience stores. Other spirits must be sold in liquor stores operated and managed by state-appointed liquor agents who act as independent contractors under the supervision of the OLCC.
Pennsylvania – All wine and spirits are sold in Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board stores, known as 'State Stores'. Malt beverages are sold in case lots by licensed beer retailers known as 'distributors', and in smaller quantities by on-premise establishments. The number of licenses to serve alcohol (including beer and wine) in restaurants is limited based on county populations.[8]
Utah – All beverages over 3.2% ABW (4.0% ABV) are sold in state-run stores, Utah code 5(a)(i).[9]
Vermont – Liquor stores are state-contracted and licensed.
Virginia – Beer and wine ≤14% ABV is sold at supermarkets and convenience stores. All liquor stores are run by the state.
West Virginia – Does not operate retail outlets, but maintains a monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only.
Wyoming – Does not operate retail outlets. Maintains monopoly on wholesale importation. Although licenses are issued by local licensing authorities, all liquor licenses must be approved by the state, and licenses are limited by population density.[10]
Several municipalities in Minnesota and South Dakota are also control jurisdictions, where the revenue generated from alcohol sales goes directly to the municipality.
About one-quarter of the United States population lives in liquor control or government monopoly states.
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