New push to lower California drinking age to 18

KGO logo
Friday, October 30, 2015
In this July 31, 2013 photo, beer is displayed for sale.
In this July 31, 2013 photo, beer is displayed for sale.
kgo-AP Photo/Jason Hirschfeld, File

PORTOLA VALLEY, Calif. (KGO) -- There's a push in California to lower the drinking age to 18. The Secretary of State's Office has cleared the way for Portola Valley resident Terry Lynn to begin collecting signatures for a possible ballot measure.

Lynn sees the effort as a civil rights issue, saying 18-year-olds are adults in the eyes of the law. They can vote and fight for their country but can't buy a beer.

If passed, California could lose federal highway funding under the National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984.