Consumer- and business-friendly measure extended for 1 year
Today, the Distilled Spirits Council of the United States (DISCUS) applauded Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey for signing HB 58 which extends cocktails to-go for one year, supporting local businesses and consumers.
“Cocktails to-go have become a regular part of take-out dining in Massachusetts, and consumers and businesses have become accustomed to this convenient option,” said Andy Deloney, senior vice president & head of state public policy at DISCUS. “We applaud Governor Healey for signing legislation to ensure local businesses and consumers have at least one more year to offer cocktails to-go. States all across the nation have taken action to extend or make cocktails to-go permanent, and we are glad to see Massachusetts legislators and Governor Healey recognize the consumer and business benefits of this measure.”
Since the beginning of the pandemic, 18 states and the District of Columbia have enacted laws to permanently allow cocktails to-go, and 14 others, including Massachusetts, have enacted laws that allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis. Numerous states are still considering cocktails to-go legislation.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.
BACKGROUND
States that signed legislation to make cocktails to-go permanent into law:
Arizona, Arkansas, Delaware, Iowa, Florida, Georgia, Kansas, Kentucky, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Rhode Island, Texas, West Virginia, Wisconsin and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent.
States that signed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis into law:
California (expires December 31, 2026), Colorado (expires July 1, 2025), Connecticut (expires June 4, 2024), Illinois (expires January 3, 2024), Maine (expires March 30, 2025), Maryland (local option – expires June 30, 2023), Massachusetts (expires April 1, 2024), Michigan (expires January 1, 2026), New Jersey (TBD), New York (expires April 9, 2025), Tennessee (expires July 1, 2023), Vermont (expires July 1, 2023), Virginia (expires July 1, 2024) and Washington (expires July 1, 2023) passed legislation to allow cocktails to-go on a temporary basis.