A new bill, House Bill 3730, has been introduced in Oregon to permit grocery stores to sell canned cocktails, made with distilled spirits and containing up to 14% alcohol by volume. This proposal was made on February 24, 2025, by state Representative Rob Nosse (D-Portland) at the request of the Northwest Grocery Retail Association.
The bill aims to expand market access for grocery stores and provide consumers with more choices, while also generating tax revenue for alcohol and drug addiction prevention and treatment programs. The proposed tax rate for these sales is set at $8 per gallon, significantly higher than California’s rate.
Under current Oregon law, grocery stores can sell beer, wine, hard seltzers, and wine-based cocktails without limitations on alcohol content. However, they are not allowed to sell ready-to-drink cocktails made from hard liquor, which are currently only available at state-chartered liquor stores.
The Northwest Grocery Retail Association has actively sought to tap into the growing ready-to-drink (RTD) market. Their members claim to have much more refrigerated space in their 792 grocery stores compared to liquor stores, with customers expressing interest in having easier access to these products.
Sales of liquor and wine in Oregon have been on the decline, while canned cocktail sales are on the rise, highlighting a shift in consumer preferences despite limited availability.
While the bill has not yet been scheduled for a hearing, it is anticipated to face opposition from liquor store representatives, craft brewers, and wine distributors. State Rep. Tawna Sanchez (D-Portland) has already spoken out against the legislation, citing concerns about the potential health impacts of increased access to hard liquor, especially for younger demographics. She argues that the bill undermines Oregon’s regulatory framework for distilled alcohol products.