Q: Why isnt alcohol treated as any other consumer product in Ohio?
A: A free market in alcoholic beverages has never existed in American history. A 1970 U.S. Supreme Court decision noted that in 1660 The precursor of modern-day liquor legislation was enacted in England, which allowed commissioners to enter, on demand, brewing houses at all times for inspection. Massachusetts passed a similar law in 1692. Before Prohibition there was no orderly marketing of alcoholic-beverage distribution. When the 21st Amendment ended Prohibition in 1933, all states were authorized to strictly regulate the transportation, importation and use of alcohol within their borders.
Q: Who may lawfully sell alcohol in Ohio?
A: All states have a system of regulations governing the sale of alcoholic beverages. In Ohio the state government holds a public monopoly and public ownership of a portion of the alcoholic-beverage supply chain, namely high ethanol content alcoholic beverages or spirituous liquor. However, Ohio does not own any aspect of the alcoholic-beverage supply chain for beer and wine. The license system for beer and wine is also considered a private system because the Ohio Department of Commerce, Division of Liquor Control licenses private vendors to operate wholesale or retail systems of distribution of beer and wine and on-premises consumption of spirituous liquor by the individual drink.
Q: What is Ohios three-tier system of alcohol manufacturing, distribution and retail sales?
A: Ohios most important focus and the focus of most states is the three-tier system for regulation of beer and wine distribution. This system reflects the three-tier economic system of manufacturers, wholesale distributors and retailers that exists in all states and outlines the way in which alcoholic beverages must make their way to consumers. This transparent, accountable system allows the state to prevent undue economic pressures among the entities involved and to regulate the manufacture, distribution and retail sale of alcoholic beverages. The system was designed to prevent the pressures and corruption that resulted from manufacturers owning retail businesses in an earlier era. Beer and wine must pass through all three tiers before reaching the consumer, and the state has the power to regulate all three tiers.
Q: Does Ohio law allow me to order hard liquor over the internet?
A: Ohio prohibits ordering spirituous liquor, all intoxicating liquor over 42 proof or containing 21 percent or more alcohol by volume, over the internet. To purchase a bottle of bourbon, for example, you must physically go to an Ohio State Agency Store. If you are an Ohio resident and are at least 21 years old, Ohio law allows you to bring no more than one liter of spirituous liquor into this state for personal use (not for resale). As an Ohio resident you may order beer and wine over the internet but only from the winery or brewery that produces the product. Properly licensed Ohio retailers may deliver beer and wine to persons over 21 years of age who have placed an order over the internet, by phone or through an app.
Q: If I am an out-of-state producer of wine or beer, how do I lawfully ship wine or beer to people ordering from Ohio?
A: If your winery or brewery has applied for and received a class S permit from the Ohio Division of Liquor Control, you may lawfully ship beer or wine to Ohio, assuming you comply with all Ohio laws including payment of Ohio taxes, quantity limitations and no sales to any person under the age of 21.
Q: Is a bar allowed to supply free beer?
A: No, Ohio prohibits all alcohol license-holders from giving away any alcohol in connection with a licensed business. For example, when the Cleveland Cavaliers won the NBA Championship, no bar in Ohio could celebrate by saying, Drinks on the house. However, if a bar patron says, A round of drinks on me, the bar is allowed to charge only that patron for each drink served for that round.
Q: Are football fans allowed to tailgate in a public parking lot before, during or after a game?
A: No, Ohio prohibits alcohol consumption in places of public accommodation. For example, a parking lot is considered a place of public accommodation because it is open to any member of the public, so tailgate parties taking place in a parking lot cannot include open containers of alcohol. However, if a previously public area such as a parking lot is cordoned off and restricted to invited guests only, it becomes a private place. In that case possession of an open container would be permissible for the private affair.
This Law You Can Use consumer legal information column was provided by the Ohio State Bar Association. It was prepared by Columbus attorney David Raber of Lumpe & Raber. Articles appearing in this column are intended to provide broad, general information about the law. This article is not intended to be legal advice. Before applying this information to a specific legal problem, readers are urged to seek the advice of a licensed attorney.
