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Pennsylvania Governor denied RTD purchase

23 September 2024 By Louis Thomas

When he went to a convenience store to celebrate last week’s loosening of the restrictions of canned cocktail sales, Governor Josh Shapiro found that he was unable to purchase a drink.

The bill to allow more than 12,400 establishments across Pennsylvania, ranging from gas stations to grocery stores, to sell pre-mixed alcoholic drinks in cans (provided they are no bigger than 16 ounces and no stronger than 12.5% ABV) was signed into law by Shapiro back in July, but only came into action last week.

Last Tuesday (17 September), Shapiro, a Democrat, and bill sponsor Republican Senator Mike Regan, visited an outpost of convenience store Rutter’s together to celebrate the new legislation.

A Twitter thread from reporter Stephen Caruso tracked what happened during the publicity visit to the Rutter’s in Duncannon.

According to Caruso, Shapiro opted to purchase Surfside (an RTD combining vodka, tea and juice that hails from Philadelphia) and a hard lemonade.

However, things didn’t go quite to plan for Shapiro when the 51-year-old was asked to provide his ID before purchasing a can – and he had forgotten it.

Fortunately, Shapiro reportedly saw the funny side and laughed about the incident.

It was clarified that no-one then purchased RTDs on Shapiro’s behalf.

The Governor’s spokesman, Manuel Bonder, used it as a reminder that you do have to be over the age of 21 (and have the ID to prove that) to enjoy this new legislation: “Everybody’s been there. Follow the law and get your canned cocktails.”

According to the Pennsylvania Liquor Control Board, the expansion of where RTDs can be sold will raise US$137 million in tax revenue over the next five years.

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