On The Delo EP173 - Arizona Liquor Law Decoded: Compliance, Licensing, and Industry Insights with Craig Miller

Pour a fresh cup and join Episode 173 of ‘On the Delo’ as David DeLorenzo sits down with industry insider Craig Miller, founder of Arizona Liquor Industry Consultants. With nearly two decades at the Arizona Department of Liquor, Craig unpacks real-life stories, compliance challenges, and critical legal changes every bar, restaurant, and aspiring licensee needs to know.

This no-fluff conversation delivers an unfiltered look at how laws are really made (and changed), why acts of violence reporting matters, the million-dollar price tag of a liquor store license, and how technology is changing underage enforcement. Whether you own a hospitality business or want to understand the high-stakes world of liquor liability, this episode gives you the playbook for surviving and thriving in Arizona’s complex landscape—all straight from the front lines.

Chapter Guide (Timestamps):

(0:00 - 1:06) Introduction, Craig’s consulting roots, and time at AZ Department of Liquor

(1:07 - 4:18) How Arizona liquor laws change: Title 4, omnibus bills, and industry challenges

(4:19 - 6:50) THC, Delta-8, hemp drinks: What’s legal, what’s not, and the crackdown aftermath

(6:51 - 9:47) Intoxication, liability, and the impossible standard for bars

(9:48 - 12:41) Counting drinks, dram shop lawsuits, and broken personal responsibility

(12:42 - 15:44) Alcohol sales trends post-COVID and creative new revenue streams

(15:45 - 18:33) Employee liability: Criminal, civil, and admin risks behind the bar

(18:34 - 22:30) Documentation, Title 4 training, and the real cost of compliance

(22:31 - 25:06) License types, sky-high costs, and the true price of opening a liquor store

(25:07 - 29:51) Compliance pitfalls: Food ratios, incident reporting, promotions, after-hours

(29:52 - 34:30) Fake IDs, scanners, and the real battle against underage drinking

(34:31 - 37:20) What counts as food, menu rules, and special late-night considerations

(37:21 - 41:13) Building relationships with law enforcement and city-specific nuances

(41:14 - 45:38) Consulting, support, and why sound policies keep everyone safer

(45:39 - End) Rapid fire: Craig’s industry favorites, life lessons, and final thoughts

👉 If you care about staying compliant, protecting your business, or just want to understand how Arizona liquor law really works, hit SUBSCRIBE for more straight talk with top industry experts. Drop your toughest compliance questions in the comments, and share this episode with any operator or server who needs the inside scoop to stay out of trouble.

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