Michael Schmidt|Pennsylvania lawmakers approve sale of canned alcoholic drinks in grocery stores and more retailers

2025-04-29 06:23:38source:Thurston Cartecategory:Scams

HARRISBURG,Michael Schmidt Pa. (AP) — Pennsylvanians will be able to buy canned alcoholic drinks, called ready-to-drink cocktails, from a wider variety of retailers under legislation approved Thursday.

The state Senate approved the bill, 32-17, and sent it to Gov. Josh Shapiro’s desk.

Under the bill, the approximately 12,000 restaurants, bars, beer distributors, grocery stores and convenience stores that are already licensed to sell alcohol can get a special permit to sell the canned drinks. Under current law, only the state-owned wine and liquor stores are allowed to sell the canned drinks.

The bill restricts the sale of the drinks to before 11 p.m. and to drinks that have a lower alcohol content than 12.5%.

Ready-to-drink canned cocktails have boomed in popularity in recent years. Legislative analysts project the growing sales will bring in about $35 million a year in state revenue by the fiscal year of 2028-2029.

More:Scams

Recommend

The Grammy nominee you need to hear: Esperanza Spalding

How do you bring the African Diaspora to the Grammys?Esperanza Spalding and Milton Nascimento's cont

Bishan Bedi, India cricket great who claimed 266 test wickets with dazzling spin, dies at 77

NEW DELHI (AP) — Bishan Bedi, the India cricket great whose dazzling left-arm spin claimed 266 test

Woman rescued after spending 16 hours in California cave, treated for minor injuries

A woman was rescued early Sunday morning after spending 16 hours stuck in a California cave. The wom