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Arizona Tourists Can Buy Alcohol With Vertical IDs

alcohol
(Photo by Graphicstock)

Arizona Gov. Doug Ducey has signed a bill that lets tourists use a vertical ID to buy alcohol.

It usually takes 90 days for a new state law to take effect. But HB 2031’s main sponsor, Rep. Sonny Borrelli from Lake Havasu, included an emergency clause that allows out-of-state visitors to immediately buy booze with vertical IDs.

The new law does not apply to Arizonans. Once a state resident turns 21, they get a 30-day grace period for using a vertical ID to buy alcohol. After the grace period ends, Arizonans need a horizontal ID to get served. 

The old law was supposed to help prevent underage drinking, but critics said it hurt local economies.

The new law took effect April 5.

The Arizona Department of Liquor Licenses and Control has a complete list of acceptable IDs.

Matthew Casey has won Edward R. Murrow awards for hard news and sports reporting since he joined KJZZ as a senior field correspondent in 2015.