Oregon Liquor and Cannabis Commission

Which state agency in Oregon regulates lewd and nude entertainment? Well, to tell you the truth… none. The Oregon Supreme Court ruled nude dancing and other forms of sexually explicit entertainment as a constitutionally protected form of free expression in 2005 following State v. Ciancanelli and City of Nyssa v. Dufloth/Smith. When this ruling went into effect, the OLCC no longer had any authority to regulate nude or lewd activities in businesses that hold a liquor license. The OLCC does not have statutory authority to deny a proposed licensee based on their entertainment format. In Oregon, this form of entertainment has the same constitutional protection as religious expression and political expression. Any decision to grant or deny a liquor license must be based on OLCC’s statutory authority - and that authority is limited. The OLCC does not have the authority to: • Deny based on public sentiment – even if a large number of people oppose the business. • Override local zoning ordinanc...

From time to time, we receive questions on whether the OLCC requires anyone buying or being served alcohol to have a valid ID on them. The OLCC requires licensees to check ID of anyone who reasonably appears 26 years old or younger. An establishment might have a restriction on their liquor license due to a history of serving alcohol to minors or allowing minors in prohibited areas. In this case, it could be that a licensed business is required to check the ID of every person entering the establishment or being sold/served alcoholic beverages. Or, a business can choose to have a stricter ID policy than what the state requires. If you’re at a restaurant with your underage friend or relative, you might not be served - even if you have the ID to show you’re of age. Some businesses will refuse service if they suspect that you might furnish the alcoholic beverage to a minor at your table. Current accepted forms of ID include a valid state driver license with a photo; a valid DMV ID card wit...

We are often asked if businesses that sell alcohol to go are required to place the alcohol in a bag. There is no law in Oregon which requires retailers to bag alcohol. Some retailers have their own store policy which may make it a requirement.

The perspectives on self-serve are derived from years of study into public safety and the positive effects of human interaction during alcohol purchases. Recently, a new product, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System has appeared in the Northwest. The machine provides a longer shelf-life and a measured pour, reducing waste and saving money. An extra feature is the Enomatic Wine Card, which allows a patron to purchase a pre-paid card then self-serve their wine at the machine. Every Oregon business that serves alcohol is required by Oregon statute to have a person with a valid service permit sell, mix and dispense alcoholic beverages. As long as a valid service permit holder dispenses the wine, the Enomatic Wine Preservation System is legally compliant. Several machines are currently being used in Oregon, but they are behind the bar and are operated legally by servers with valid permits. It is worth mentioning that the Enomatic Wine Card can also serve a function behind the bar to pre...

Actually, the OLCC offers about 1,700 different distilled spirits items. The distribution center regularly carries about 1,300 items, and that number swells by at least 30 percent when adding special orders and one-time product offerings. Customers are responding enthusiastically to the wide variety of new distilled spirits and the agency continues to expand its product line to meet the demand. By continually evaluating the product line, the OLCC provides consumers with new beverage varieties as they are introduced and eliminates non-performing items.