Liquor laws

Monday, February 25, 2008

The Utah State Senate passed something very stupid today and may make Utah's liquor laws even more asinine. The bill that I am talking about does two things: one it bans wine coolers and other malt drinks to the state run liquor stores (and thus can conviently also charge higher taxes on them), and two increases a standard shot from an ounce to an ounce and a half. Where should I begin...
Ok first off, as I have said before, sending wine coolers and whatnot into the state liquor stores wont make one damn difference in underage drinking. It doesn't stop people over 21 buying it for underage friends, or raiding it from their parents, or even from buying it without being carded. It just makes it more inconvient for those of us who do drink them (both residents and visitors) and allows the state to tax them at a higher rate. If you make something harder to get you make it more appealing to those who can't get it plain and simple.
Secondly this increase in shot size makes no sense especially when coupled with the malt beverage thing. Last time I checked an ounce and a half is MORE THAN an ounce. We can't buy low alcohol malt beverages in a grocery or convience store but we can get drunk FASTER by going to a restuarant or bar and getting a shot or mixed drink? So what if it also bans "side cars" (extra shots you can pour into a drink) it is still and INCREASE in the alcohol in a drink. A drink that has two shots of alcohol (same or different) mixed into them would go from two to three ounces of alcohol. It wouldn't surprise me in the least if there was a sudden spike in DUI's if this is signed into law, and even less if they would be too stupid to figure out why.
Whatever. Anyone want to find me I will be getting quickly smashed at Applebees. Cheers!


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