City Council narrowly passes single-serve alcohol ban

  Kansas City lawmakers approved a controversial single-serve alcohol ban by a narrow margin of 7-6 on Thursday, April 9. The ban will prohibit the sale of select alcoholic products in five high-crime corridors of the city. 

  “Today’s vote is a win for the residents who have been asking us to act for decades,” said Mayor Quinton Lucas. “These are common sense, targeted restrictions, and they will make a real difference in neighborhoods that have waited long enough for relief.” 

  Many business owners felt the ordinance unfairly punished them, though City councilmember for the 3rd district, Melissa Robinson, assured them they weren’t the enemy.

  “I want to be really clear. The convenience stores are not the enemy here. For those of us who live in food deserts, we rely on these convenience stores for our daily needs,” Robinson said.

  Councilwoman Robinson was one of the sponsors of the ordinance. 

  While the ban has passed, Missouri state lawmakers may be stepping in to prevent it. According to KCTV5, Missouri House Speaker Jon Patterson says he plans to act quickly to stop the ordinance. 

  “​​This misguided ordinance arbitrarily creates winners and losers within similarly situated businesses and violates equal protection principles,” Patterson said. “It will hurt business owners in already economically depressed areas. The state should protect these businesses by preempting the ordinance.”

  Patterson has already introduced an amendment that has been added to House Bill 3347 which could prevent the ban.

  While the ban focuses primarily on single-shot bottles, it also includes single-serve beer products in the specified areas, as well as several locally brewed Boulevard products. 

  The ordinance includes an exception for grocery stores, allowing them to still sell the targeted products. 

  The ordinance was stalled for several weeks, with many city council members expressing their concerns.

  City councilman Kevin O’Neill said he thinks the ordinance will “backfire” in terms of public safety.

  “I think you’ll have negative consequences associated with this. You’re going to have people buying more potent pints and fifths,” O’Neill said.

  Other council members said they’d be in support of a similar ordinance, taking issue primarily with the five designated areas. 

  “I think the best way to accomplish what the ordinance is attempting to accomplish is to impose the prohibition on these products citywide,” said Councilman Crispin Rea. 

  “I don’t like the carve-outs. I don’t like the carve-ins. This business is included. This business is not. I just don’t think that’s the best way to create policy,” Rea said.

  The ban will go into effect early June, just before the first World Cup games in Kansas City. 

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