Maryland Beer Laws: Convenience Store Purchases Explained

Maryland has some unique laws regarding the purchase of alcohol. While you can buy beer at convenience stores in many U.S. states, Maryland is one of the few states that restrict beer sales to liquor stores. This is due to a 1978 law that was intended to protect small mom and pop liquor stores from competition with large supermarket chains. However, this law is considered outdated and inconvenient by many Maryland residents, and there have been several attempts to change it.

Beer and wine are prohibited at chain grocery stores due to a 1978 law

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where alcohol can be purchased that differ from those of its neighbouring states. Beer and wine are prohibited at chain grocery stores due to a 1978 law. This law was intended to protect small "mom and pop" retailers from competition with supermarket chains.

However, a handful of chain stores are among the exceptions, as they are grandfathered in and permitted to sell beer and wine, subject to individual county laws. For example, in some counties, grocery stores can sell beer and wine under a grandfather clause, and in Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester and St. Mary's counties, grocery stores are allowed to sell beer and wine.

There have been attempts to change the law to allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine. In 2021, State Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996 sought to expand licensing to allow chain stores to sell beer and wine in food retail stores. However, the bill did not pass.

Polls show that support for changing the law is growing, with 73% of Marylanders in favour of allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores in 2020.

A few chain stores are among the exceptions

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where you can buy alcohol. The state is one of the last in the union that prohibits buying beer and wine at chain grocery, wholesale, pharmacy, and convenience stores.

Current Maryland law restricts the sale of alcohol to stand-alone, non-chain stores, with licensing restricted to Maryland residents. While you can buy alcohol at some convenience stores in neighbouring states like Virginia, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Washington D.C., this is not possible in Maryland.

A handful of chain stores are among the exceptions to the rule. A few dozen chain stores were grandfathered in, but this is confusing for consumers who just want to buy their alcohol anywhere in the state. These include four grocery chains in Montgomery County, which have one store each that sells beer and wine under a grandfather clause: Shoppers, Giant, Harris Teeter, and Safeway. In addition, there are a few RoFo and RiteAid stores that have been selling beer and wine for decades.

Some more rural counties in the state, such as Talbot, Wicomico, Worcester, and St. Mary's, also allow grocery stores to sell beer and wine. Prince George's County allows each corporation to have one location that sells beer and wine.

Beer and wine can be delivered to your home in Maryland

Another important consideration is that the person receiving the delivery must be of legal drinking age and must be able to present a valid ID upon request. The delivery driver is responsible for ensuring that alcohol is only handed over to someone of legal drinking age.

In terms of purchasing options, Maryland has unique laws that restrict where you can buy alcohol. Beer and wine cannot be purchased at chain grocery, wholesale, or pharmacy stores. However, there are a limited number of chain stores that are exempt from this restriction and are permitted to sell beer and wine, but this is subject to individual county laws. Additionally, beer and wine can be purchased at freestanding alcohol stores, but the hours of sale may vary by county, and some counties prohibit retail alcohol sales on Sundays.

For those seeking delivery options, there are websites and mobile apps, such as Drizly, Amazon Wine, and DoorDash, that offer alcohol delivery services in Maryland. However, it is important to note that delivery is subject to county laws and regulations, and availability may vary depending on your location.

Beer and wine can be purchased on Sundays, but only at a freestanding alcohol store

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where you can buy alcohol, which are quite different from its neighbouring states. Beer and wine can be purchased on Sundays, but only at a freestanding alcohol store, and this varies by county. In counties where it is permitted, hours vary slightly, but typically fall within 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m., with individual stores varying hours at their discretion.

The current law allows for all alcohol to be purchased at freestanding stores, and licensing prohibits sales at most chain stores. This means that if you want beer, wine or liquor, you will need to make a special trip to a dedicated store. A handful of chain stores are among the exceptions and are permitted to sell beer and wine, subject to individual county laws.

Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996 sought to change Maryland's restrictive laws regarding locations and licensing for alcohol sales in convenience stores while meeting specific food standards. Many Maryland communities have an excess of liquor stores but few fresh food options. Opening alcohol sales in more locations could simultaneously promote new and existing healthy food options for these areas.

However, the MD State Licensed Beverage Association claims the law exists to protect small "mom and pop" liquor stores from the competition of large supermarket chains. Old prohibition laws made grocery stores and liquor stores different businesses, and they don't want capitalism and convenience to hurt thriving small family businesses.

Maryland is one of only a handful of states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores. Times have changed, and shoppers can now buy almost anything on the internet, but they still can't pick up a bottle of wine at the grocery store.

Maryland is one of the few states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores

Maryland has some unique laws regarding when and where you can buy alcohol, which are quite different from its neighbouring states. Maryland is one of the few states that restrict beer and wine sales to liquor stores.

Current Maryland law restricts the sale of alcohol to stand-alone, non-chain stores, with licensing restricted to Maryland residents. A 1978 law prohibits the sale of alcohol in most grocery stores. However, a handful of chain stores are among the exceptions, as they are grandfathered in. This means there are about 30 locations statewide permitting the sale of beer and wine.

The MD State Licensed Beverage Association claims the law exists to protect mom-and-pop liquor stores from the competition of big supermarket chains. However, many Marylanders and visitors find the current laws regarding alcohol sales inconvenient and not in line with how they do their day-to-day shopping.

There have been attempts to change the law. In 2021, State Senate Bill 763 and House Bill 996 sought to expand licensing for beer and wine sales in food retail stores. However, the bill did not pass. Another attempt was made in 2022, but it is unclear whether it was successful.

Maryland's alcohol laws also vary by county. For example, in some counties, you can buy beer and wine on Sundays, but only at a freestanding alcohol store. In Baltimore and Prince George's counties, beer and wine retail sales are not allowed on Sundays.

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