The free market ends where North Carolina’s liquor monopoly begins.
It’s time to abolish the ABC.
What is the ABC?
After Prohibition ended, some states established Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) agencies to
control the sale and distribution of alcohol, easing the transition back to legal sales. But once the state
took over, it quickly realized what organized crime had learned during Prohibition—liquor is a highly
profitable business without competition.
The Prohibition agent
became the bootlegger.
Case Study: The Cost of Monopoly
Unlike North Carolina, its sister state South Carolina doesn’t have an ABC system—and the price differences speak for themselves.
South Carolina
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey (1.75L)
$37.99
Total Wine & Liquor
North Carolina
Jack Daniel's Old No. 7 Tennessee Whiskey (1.75L)
$55.49
Charlotte ABC
A Hidden Tax No One Voted For
North Carolina’s ABC system brought in $1.86 billion last year, sending $710 million to state and local governments. That’s not small change—and it’s exactly why the state refuses to let go.
But make no mistake: this isn’t just business, it’s a massive hidden tax on consumers. North Carolinians pay up to 46% more for the exact same bottle of liquor than their neighbors in South Carolina—not for better service or selection, but because the state controls the price.
If North Carolina wants to tax alcohol, it should do it transparently—not through inflated prices set by a government-run monopoly.
Limited Choices, Controlled by Committee
The problems with the ABC system don’t stop at the checkout line.
Every bottle of liquor sold in North Carolina has to be approved by a central government board. If it’s not on their list, it’s not on the shelf—no matter the demand, no matter the quality.
This isn’t just about price—it’s about control. And it’s costing you options.
This Isn’t Normal—And It Doesn’t Have to Be
For decades, North Carolinians have accepted the ABC as just the way things are. But government-run liquor stores, fixed prices, and artificial markups are not the norm—they’re the problem.
It’s time to end the monopoly. It’s time to bring back competition, transparency, and fairness.
Tell state leaders: abolish the ABC.
