Coalition Launches Campaign For Beer, Wine Sales In Maryland Grocery Stores
As excerpted from The Shelby Report:
The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition has launched a campaign to advocate for legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores.
Maryland is one of just four U.S. states where grocery stores can’t sell alcohol, though the coalition said significant momentum has grown to pass legislation addressing the issue in 2026.
“It’s past time that we pass this bill that has strong support from constituents across the political spectrum,” said Delegate Marlon Amprey, the bill’s lead sponsor in the House of Delegates.
“Beyond providing busy, working families with the convenience they deserve, this measure will help attract and keep grocery stores in communities that too often don’t have sufficient access to fresh foods.”
Sen. Antonio Hayes, the bill’s lead sponsor in the state Senate, added, “The current law is outdated and it’s time for a change. Grocery stores are important economic development anchors and we should be promoting policies that drive investment in our communities and have the potential to attract more high-quality grocery stores to communities that need fresh, healthy food access.
“Maryland cannot continue to be an outlier on this policy.”
Polls have consistently found strong support for allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores, with the most recent statewide Maryland Now poll showing 80 percent of respondents back the issue.
“Marylanders know that residents of other states are able to do all of their grocery shopping in one stop, and they want the same convenience for themselves,” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA).
“Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margins in the retail sector, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.”
