Alcohol drinks collection in box

Oregonians can have their marijuana delivered to their door, but as of now they must go out to buy their booze. That should change with a bill sponsored by Rep. Margaret Doherty, D-Tigard.

“Here in Oregon it is legal to deliver marijuana to your home, but you can’t deliver hard liquor,” Doherty told OPB.

She said the idea was brought up by older residents in her district who pointed out they can get almost anything else delivered to their doors — meals, groceries and so on.

“In this day and age when we have everything delivered to our houses, I think it’s a tool that OLCC agents can use to market their products,” Doherty said.

House Bill 2523 would allow distillery retail outlets and the operators of state-owned liquor stores to deliver spirits to customers. Doherty’s bill would not create a delivery free-for-all, however.

The measure would require that deliveries be made only to those who are at least 21. Those receiving deliveries would have to show government-issued photo identification and sign for their booze. The bottles and other containers would carry conspicuous labels saying “CONTAINS ALCOHOL: SIGNATURE OF PERSON AGE 21 OR OLDER REQUIRED FOR DELIVERY.” Nor could deliveries be made to anyone who sounded or appeared impaired. Purchasers would be barred from reselling what they bought.

Allowing home delivery of alcohol deserves the same careful treatment as pot. HB 2523 should be approved.