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West Virginia strikes down Sunday spirits sales ban
Drinkers in West Virginia are now able to buy spirits seven days a week after a Prohibition-era ban on Sunday sales was lifted.
Spirits can now be sold after 1pm on Sundays in West Virginia
From last Sunday (3 March), West Virginians can buy spirits after 1pm on Sundays, except Easter and Christmas, under a new law signed by governor Jim Justice.
Previously, consumers in West Virginia were only allowed to buy beer and wine at retail stores on Sundays.
Chris Swonger, president and CEO of the Distilled Spirits Council, said: “More and more states are rolling back these outdated Sunday sales bans to modernise their alcohol laws and increase consumer convenience.
“These archaic laws no longer serve a public interest, undermine business freedom and eliminate consumer choice.”
Since 2002, 21 states have passed Sunday spirits sales legislation bringing the total to 43 states across the country. In 2018, Indiana and Tennessee passed Sunday sales laws, and Virginia lawmakers have recently ruled that Sunday hours will be permitted from 10am, rather than midday.
According to a Distilled Spirits Council economic analysis, Sunday liquor sales could generate more than US$1 million in new state revenue if all stores open that are eligible under the law.