Oklahoma wine in grocery stores petition withdrawn, supporters hope for 2013-14 rebound

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) -- Supporters of an initiative petition to allow large grocery stores in Oklahoma's largest counties to sell wine say they're withdrawing the petition from consideration but will re-file it next year.

The attorney for Oklahomans for Modern Laws, Lee Slater, said the initiative petition was withdrawn Friday because legal proceedings surrounding a formal protest delayed the 90-day period supporters had to obtain enough signatures to get it on the Nov. 6 general election ballot.

Slater says that by re-filing the petition in the fall of 2013, supporters hope to obtain enough signatures to get the issue on the general election ballot in 2014.

Currently, wine sales are restricted to licensed retail package liquor stores. The initiative petition proposes a new wine license to permit wine sales by grocery stores and supermarkets.