Group Supports Wine, Strong Beer Sales In Oklahoma Grocery Stores

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A group is organizing in Oklahoma to support legalizing the sale of wine and strong beer in grocery and convenience stores. <br/><br/>Oklahomans for Modern Laws is hoping to circulate

Tuesday, September 12th 2006, 10:36 am

By: News On 6

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) _ A group is organizing in Oklahoma to support legalizing the sale of wine and strong beer in grocery and convenience stores.

Oklahomans for Modern Laws is hoping to circulate a petition next spring that would call for a statewide vote on the proposal by 2008. Spokesman Brian Howe says about 200-thousand signatures would be needed to get the issue on the ballot.

Howe says changing the law would bring higher-end grocery stores to the state and would allow consumers to get a bottle of wine to go with their meals without making a second stop.

But a lobbyist for liquor retailers opposes the idea. Oklahoma Retail Liquor Association President JP Richard says allowing wine and strong beer sales in grocery and convenience stores would take away 40 percent of liquor store business.

Lobbyists for convenience stores say they're currently neutral on the idea.