of alcoholic beverages. Most of these states have an "Alcoholic Beverage Control" (ABC) board and run liquor stores called ABC stores or state stores. In all monopoly states a parallel license system is used to regulate the sale and distribution of lighter alcoholic beverages such as beer and wine. Beginning in the 1960s onward, many control states loosened their monopoly of beverage sales. States like West Virginia and Washington sold all of their state liquor stores to private owners, while others like Vermont permit private store owners to sell alcohol on behalf of the state for a commission. State listing The 17 control or monopoly states are: Alabama – Liquor stores are state-run or on-premises establishments with a special off-premises license, per the provisions of Title 28, Code of Ala. 1975, carried out by the Alabama Alcoholic Beverage Control Board. Idaho – Maintains a monopoly over sales of beverages with greater than 16% ABV. Iowa – All spirits are sold to privately owned retailers by the Iowa Alcoholic Beverages Division. Beer and wine can be sold by private license-holders. Maine – Manages spirits and licenses private retail businesses such as grocery and convenience stores. It also wholesales to businesses, setting the retail and wholesale prices, and approves all spirits products sold in the state. Beer and wine are distributed and sold through the private sector. Michigan – Does not operate retail outlets, but maintains a monopoly over wholesaling of distilled spirits only. Mississippi – The Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control (MSABC) is tasked with regulating the legal and responsible dispensing of wines and spirits within Mississippi. Spirits below 7.5% ABV, wines below 6.25% ABV, and all beer products are distributed by privately owned companies. All retailers operating in Mississippi are privately owned and licensed by the state. Wines and spirits distributed by MSABC can be sold at licensed off-premise accounts (liquor stores) and on-premise accounts (restaurants, bars, clubs, casinos, etc.). Beer, light-wine, and light-spirit products may be sold in groceries, convenience stores, and on-premise accounts but not in liquor stores. Montana – State contracted liquor stores, modeled after the Alberta Gaming and Liquor Commission. New Hampshire – Beer and wine can be sold at supermarkets and convenience stores. Liquor is sold only in state-run liquor stores and a small number of stores with a private Liquor Agency License. North Carolina – Beer and wine can be sold in supermarkets and convenience