Maryland Gov. Wes Moore backs letting grocery stores sell beer, wine

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, says he will work with state legislators to write and pass a bill allowing grocery stores in the state to sell beer and wine.

Outside of a few chains that decades ago were allowed sales and hence were grandfathered in, according to Maryland Alcohol Choice, most grocery stores in the state are unable to sell beer and wine. Mostly only specialized stores can sell such items.

“Maryland is one of only five states in the nation that bans the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores — it’s time for a change. Lifting this ban puts people first and makes us more competitive. I look forward to working with our legislative partners to pass this overdue change,” Mr. Moore posted Wednesday on X.

The governor told nonprofit news site Maryland Matters that he doesn’t plan to include a bill allowing wider sale of beer and wine in his official 2025 legislative package.

Instead, if and when a bill to do so is introduced by a state legislator, Mr. Moore plans to back it. If a bill expanding the sale of beer and wine is passed, no changes would be made to how and where hard liquor is sold in the state.

Aside from Maryland, beer, wine and liquor are sold only in liquor or packaged goods stores in Alaska, Delaware, Minnesota and Rhode Island. Mr. Moore said his state is “out of step with the rest of the country.”

The issue pits existing licensed alcohol sellers, represented by the Maryland State Licensed Beverage Association, against grocery chains and other businesses, represented by the Maryland Retailers Association that backs Maryland Alcohol Choice.

“I know the Maryland families and small businesses that run the independent stores are going to be very disheartened to hear that the governor has sided with these big corporate supermarkets,” MSLBA Legislative Co-Chair Jack Milani, owner of Monaghan’s Pub in Gwynn Oak, Maryland, told Maryland Matters.

State Delegate Marlon Amprey, a Democrat representing Baltimore who introduced a bill to let grocery stores sell beer and wine in the 2024 legislative session, told ABC affiliate WMAR-TV that “by empowering food retailers to obtain Class A licenses, we can expand consumer choice, support local businesses and stimulate economic development.”

Other lawmakers disagree. Delegate C.T. Wilson, Charles County Democrat, told Maryland Matters, “I don’t believe bringing more liquor into any community is a great idea. I don’t believe … easier access to alcohol is a great idea.”