When is it illegal to carry opened alcohol in public?
<p>I heard it's technically illegal to have an alcoholic beverage that is not in the same state it was sold in, in public. Does this mean</p>
<ol>
<li>if a single can of beer is missing from a six pack it is illegal?</li>
<li>if a bottle of hard liquor has been opened and resealed, it is illegal?</li>
</ol>
<p>Also, what is meant by &quot;in public&quot; in this context? For example if I'm walking down the street with a two six of vodka in my backpack that I had already drank from, would that be illegal? Does it matter if it's concealed?</p>

<p><a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15019#section73" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Section 73</a> of the British Columbia's Liquor Control and Licensing Act is the relevant law...</p>
<blockquote>
<p><strong>Unlawful possession or consumption of liquor</strong></p>
<p>s.73(1) A person must not consume liquor, or possess liquor in an open
container, in a place other than</p>
<p>(a) a residence,</p>
<p>(b) a private place,</p>
<p>(c) a service area in respect of which a licence, authorization or
permit allows consumption,</p>
<p>(d) as provided under <a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15019#section11" rel="nofollow noreferrer">section 11</a>,</p>
<p>(e) as provided under subsections (2) to (4) of this section,</p>
<p>(f) an assisted living residence, community care facility, hospital or
other prescribed facility as provided in <a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/15019#section9" rel="nofollow noreferrer">section
9</a>,
or</p>
<p>(g) in a liquor store as allowed under the <a href="https://www.bclaws.gov.bc.ca/civix/document/id/complete/statreg/96268_01" rel="nofollow noreferrer">Liquor Distribution Act.</a></p>
<p>(2) Subject to subsection (3) and the regulations, a public place, or
part of it, may be designated, by a bylaw of the municipality or
regional district that has jurisdiction over the public place, as a
place where liquor may be consumed.</p>
<p>(3) A bylaw under subsection (2) must contain the hours during which
liquor may be consumed.</p>
<p>(4) Without limiting subsection (2), regulations under that subsection
may provide that a bylaw referred to in that subsection may not
designate</p>
<p>(a) a specified public place, or</p>
<p>(b) a specified public place for a specified period of time.</p>
</blockquote>
<p><strong>If a single can of beer is missing from a six pack it is illegal?</strong></p>
<p>No, as long as none of the cans are open.</p>
<p><strong>If a bottle of hard liquor has been opened and resealed, it is illegal?</strong></p>
<p>Not in its resealed state, but the act of opening the bottle <em>may</em> be unlawful depending on the circumstances.</p>
<p><strong>What is meant by &quot;in public&quot; in this context</strong></p>
<p>Everywhere not accounted for in s.73, above.</p>
<p><strong>If I'm walking down the street with a two six of vodka in my backpack that I had already drank from, would that be illegal?</strong></p>
<p>Not if the lid is on the vodka bottle as it's not an &quot;open container&quot;. When and where you drank it is another matter.</p>
<p><strong>Does it matter if it's concealed?</strong></p>
<p>No.</p>

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