Kansas lawmakers are considering allowing beer, wine, and spirits delivery from grocery stores, restaurants, and liquor stores, either by themselves or through third-party delivery services like DoorDash or Uber Eats.
This would be a significant change for Kansas, a state that recently had some of the strictest liquor laws in the country.
Over half of all states across the U.S. currently allow for the delivery of alcohol, with many making COVID-19-era restrictions permanent in the past two years.
- Supporters of the bill argue that it would bring Kansas law in line with what most consumers want.
- Bill would require an ID check to confirm the consumer's age and whether they are visibly intoxicated.
- Walmart lobbyist Michael O'Neal believes Bill is a logical extension of what already exists and that the state is a little late to the game.
- The bill would only allow grocers and retailers to deliver beer and wouldn't expand beyond what is currently for sale in places like Dillon's or Hy-Vee.
- Research suggests that increased access to alcohol could lead to increased drinking and binge drinking.
Liquor stores argue that it would be difficult for regulators to enforce the same regulatory standards on hundreds of Uber or DoorDash drivers.
