Remember the good old days of Prohibition? Well, probably not, but it is a fine example of the fact that the laws regarding alcohol have a way of changing and evolving. And, depending on who you ask, sometimes those changes are for the better, and sometimes they are not.
Of course, Prohibition was a federal law that applied to all states at the time. The difference between federal law and state law is that, as the name suggests, state alcohol laws only apply to the state with that particular law. Here are five weird and wacky state laws still on the books from around the country:
1. Utah Bans Happy Hour – Utah has many arcane laws regarding alcohol, but the happy hour ban is new to 2012. Now, no establishment with a license can host “drink specials.”
2. Oklahoma = No Cold Beer? – It can get pretty hot in the Sooner State, but that hasn’t helped change the fact that “strong” beer may still not be sold chilled. You can buy all the cold watered-down lager you want, but if you want the good stuff cold you’re going to have to chill it yourself.
3. ‘Modest’ Alabama Wine Bottles – If you’re thinking about a risqué label design for your pinot, you better think twice before shipping it to Alabama. The state doesn’t take kindly to lewd imagery on its wines.
4. No Rounds for the House in Nyala, Nevada – You may be able to pursue your predilection for prostitutes in the Silver State, but you still can’t buy a round for the house in Nyala. The town prohibits anyone from buying drinks for more than three people at a time, including the purchaser.
5. No Drinking and Voting in Kentucky – If you’re planning on showing up to the polls a little pie-eyed, you better stock up the day before, because there are no alcohol sales in the state on election days. This law is actually an archaic extension of Prohibition-era laws, when vote buying was popular and illegal hooch even more so.
Of course, I should remind everyone that our blog entries are for your information only and are not intended as medical advice. Because everyone is different, you should work with your medical professional to determine what’s best for you. If you’re going to drink, do it legally and responsibly; don’t be stupid =).
