Maryland Beer and Wine Push Appears to Stall Again

by Alexander Wissel, Executive Editor

Just a few months ago, supporters of allowing beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores sounded cautiously optimistic. A renewed legislative push and fresh economic analysis had advocates predicting the long-running debate might finally move forward in Annapolis.

But as the 2026 legislative session moves deeper into the calendar, the effort appears to be encountering the same familiar roadblocks.

Several key lawmakers in the Maryland Senate have signaled that legislation allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores is unlikely to advance this year. A companion proposal in the House has also struggled to gain traction, particularly among legislators concerned about the potential impact on independent liquor retailers.

The issue has become something of an annual ritual in the Maryland General Assembly. Each year, lawmakers introduce bills that would permit grocery stores to sell beer and wine – and each year the proposals stall in committee.

Supporters say the economic case for change continues to strengthen.

A new analysis conducted by the Jacob France Institute at the University of Baltimore found that allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores could increase retail alcohol sales in Maryland and generate millions of dollars in additional tax revenue for the state. The report estimates state government revenues could rise between $4.7 million and $6.6 million annually as more beer and wine purchases shift back into Maryland from neighboring states.

“Allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores has the potential to increase retail wine and beer sales in Maryland, thereby generating jobs and tax revenues for Maryland,” said Richard Clinch, PhD, director of the Jacob France Institute and author of the study.

The study also examined the long-term effects of similar policy changes in states such as Oklahoma, Pennsylvania and Tennessee. In each case, alcohol retailer employment eventually rose above pre-reform levels after grocery store sales were permitted, suggesting that concerns about lasting damage to independent liquor retailers may be overstated.

Still, opposition from the state’s independent liquor store sector remains strong, and those concerns continue to resonate with many lawmakers in Annapolis.

Maryland remains one of only four states that does not allow any alcohol sales in grocery stores. Supporters argue the restriction puts the state out of step with modern retail practices and creates inconvenience for consumers.

Polls have consistently shown strong public support for changing the law. A recent Maryland Now poll found roughly 80 percent of likely voters favor allowing grocery stores to sell beer and wine.

Advocates say the policy shift could also help attract grocery stores to underserved communities where full-service supermarkets have struggled to take root.

“Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margins in retail, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.” said Cailey Locklair, president of the Maryland Retailers Alliance. She continued: 

“This legislation comes before lawmakers in Annapolis every session, and despite support from the vast majority of their constituents, the General Assembly consistently yields to questionable claims that it would hurt small businesses. That data shows a different outcome – in states that have recently changed their laws the package store industry has remained resilient and has not seen a long term decline in employment. 

Marylanders deserve the same conveniences that residents of 46 other states already have, and our grocers deserve the opportunity to generate the same revenue as their competitors across state lines. We hear concerns from community leaders all the time about the need to attract and retain more high quality, fresh food grocery stores – this is one concrete step that policymakers could take to support that effort.”

Despite the renewed push – and the economic arguments behind it – legislative momentum appears to be fading once again.

For frustrated Maryland grocery operators, many of whom have watched neighboring states allow beer and wine sales for years, the situation is a familiar one: the debate continues, but the law remains unchanged… at least for now.