Tennessee is set to become the first state in the nation to require carding of anyone, without exception, who buys beer for off-premises consumption starting July 1, thanks to the new Tennessee Responsible Vendor Act, according to the Associated Press.
Designed to curb underage drinking, the act will expire after one year to give lawmakers and vendors a chance to review its effectiveness. The legislation does not apply to the sale of wine and liquor purchases or to beer sales at restaurants and bars.
Many stores have already begun carding everyone who buys beer.
John Kelly, CEO for Roadrunner Markets, implemented the policy last year. The procedure has helped weed out the possibility of accidentally seeing alcohol to minors. As for customers who may be inconvenienced by the procedure, Kelly told the Associated Press that they’ve quickly gotten used to the process and arrive at the counter with their IDs ready.
“The universal carding law means that all retailers are on the same page,” said Kelly. “There will be consistent training of clerks. Customers can expect to have their ID checked at any store in Tennessee that sells beer.”
Along with mandatory carding, the new law also creates a voluntary Responsible Vendor Program, which allows retailers who have their clerks enrolled in a training course to face smaller penalties for underage sales than nonparticipating vendors.
