Gov. Wes Moore (D-MD) voiced his support for an expansion of alcohol sales beyond liquor stores.
The Maryland governor told Maryland Matters that he “wants something on my desk at the end of the session.” The show of support is a major boost for the campaign to allow grocery stores to stock beer and wine, something critics warn could harm small businesses.
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The Maryland governor cited popular sentiment as the reason for his stance.
“I think it’s time to address this issue because it’s something that I have heard literally in every single corner of the state from Western Maryland to the Eastern Shore. From Oakland, Ocean City, Montgomery County, and everywhere in between,” Moore said. “This is an issue that people are asking about.”
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He also said that Maryland was “out of step with the rest of the country,” being one of only five states along with Alaska, Delaware, Minnesota, and Rhode Island, where it isn’t legal to buy alcoholic beverages outside designated stores.
Moore clarified that such a bill wouldn’t be part of his 2025 legislative package, but that he would push for something in the upcoming session.
Liquor store and small business advocates have pushed hard against the measure, defeating several previous attempts by the General Assembly. They have argued that the move would benefit big businesses while strangling small liquor stores.
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“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 without even hearing from them directly,” Jack Milani, legislative co-chairman of the Maryland Licensed Beverage Association, told the outlet. “This is going to put some independents who put their life savings into their stores out of business, and you can bank on that.”
Others argue that the new deluge of alcohol would ravage at-risk communities, increasing alcoholism.
“I don’t believe bringing more liquor into any community is a great idea. I don’t believe in easier access to alcohol is a great idea,” Democratic House Economic Matters Chairman C.T. Wilson said.
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Moore has said the decision comes down to common sense, which he believes is on the side of expansion.
“I’ve asked my team, and I just continue to get, ‘This is the way it’s always been,’ and that is never a satisfactory answer for me,” Moore said.
