Center for Alcohol Policy urges Montana committees to preserve control-state rules, warns of direct-to-consumer and THC beverage risks

Kelly Roberson, executive director of the Center for Alcohol Policy, told a joint meeting of the Montana House Business and Labor and Senate Economic Affairs committees that Montana’s control-state alcohol system protects public health, preserves tax revenue and maintains product integrity.

Roberson said the center is not lobbying on a particular bill but offered history, survey data and policy cautions as lawmakers consider alcohol-related measures during the session. “I am not here to lobby you on any bill,” she said.

Roberson told the committees the center’s 2025 national survey found strong public support for existing alcohol-regulatory systems, and she repeatedly framed maintenance of the three-tier/licensing model as tied to consumer safety and recall effectiveness. She said 85% of respondents were satisfied with their…