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Did we really repeal the 18th Amendment?

Legally, the answer is yes, the 21st amendment, which repealed Prohibition, was ratified on Dec. 5, 1933. Despite that, Oklahoma still has laws on the books that were written to get around Prohibition. In my opinion, they do not reflect today’s society. One of the worst examples is the state’s archaic system of having two separate sets of laws for two different kinds of beer that aren’t really very different at all.

When I was asked to contribute opinions and serve on the Tulsa World Community Advisory Board, one of the requirements was to not submit comments that would enhance the company where you were employed or the group you represented. I assure you that when I say Oklahoma should rewrite its alcohol laws and eliminate the hypocrisy of two classes of beer, I’m not feathering my own nest. Any company in Oklahoma that currently is licensed to sell off-premise beer is most likely satisfied with the status quo. Convenience stores, grocery outlets, big box retailers, etc., have an 80 percent to 85 percent market share.