MARYLAND (WBFF) — The Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition launched a campaign to legalize beer and wine sales in Maryland grocery stores.
The announcement of the campaign, which took place on Dec. 4 outside a Giant Foods grocery store, pushed for a common-sense reform that has already seen support from many Maryland voters.
The Consumer Freedom Coalition stated that Maryland is one of only four states in the country that do not allow alcohol sales in grocery stores, “depriving consumers of a simple convenience that the vast majority of Marylanders support.”
Those who spoke at this event included Delegate Marlon Amprey, Maryland Retailers Alliance (MRA) President Cailey Locklair, downtown Baltimore resident and civic leader Eva Hodsdon, and members of the Maryland Consumer Freedom Coalition.
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“It’s past time that we pass this bill that has strong support from constituents across the political spectrum,” Delegate Amprey said. “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.”
In addition to the Maryland Now poll, which showed 80 percent of Marylanders supporting the push for beer and alcohol sales in grocery stores, the Consumer Freedom Coalition said tens of thousands of Marylanders already indicated their support by signing on to the coalition.
“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,” MRA president Locklair said. “Grocery stores operate with some of the smallest profit margines in the retail sector, and this change would go a long way toward attracting and retaining stores in our communities.”
Kayla Mock, the Political and Legislative Director for UFCW Local 400, which represents thousands of grocery store workers in this state, stated that allowing these sales would help further expand job opportunities for union members.
You can watch the full campaign announcement below:
As the legislative session begins, the Consumer Freedom Coalition plans to ramp up efforts to pass this commonsense reform.
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