Maryland lawmakers revive grocery store beer and wine bill with new restrictions

BALTIMORE (WBFF) — State lawmakers are once again taking up a long-debated issue – whether customers should be able to buy beer and wine where they buy groceries.

Maryland is currently one of only four states banning those types of sales in grocery stores. The recently introduced Alcoholic Beverages and Modernization Act of 2026 looks to change that.

ALSO READ | Moore, Miller officially file for second term: ‘We’ve got more work to do’

While several past attempts failed, this proposal comes with tighter restrictions, including banning self-checkout and delivery options, heightened security presence required in the alcohol sales area, and stores needing to be located at least 300 feet from schools or places of worship. Late night and Sunday sales would also be prohibited, with sale times limited from 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

According to the Maryland Retailers Alliance, 80% of Marylanders support the measure.

FOX45 received mixed reactions when we took the question directly to shoppers. While some called it a long overdue convenience, others felt it would make alcohol too accessible.

ALSO READ | Maryland debates legalizing beer and wine sales in grocery stores

“There are grocery stores everywhere. It’s a lot easier to pick up stuff on the weekends, rather than having to go to a specific place just for beer and wine,” one shopper said.

“It’s a lot of theft in these grocery stores these days. So, yeah, people can come in and start stealing that stuff, making it hard for security,” another said.

For the second year, Governor Wes Moore threw his support behind the initiative. His office sent FOX45 the following statement responding to the bill:

Governor Moore supports fair competition and consumer choice across our state. Like the vast majority of Marylanders across political parties and regions, he supports bringing Maryland in line with over 40 other states across the country and lifting the state’s ban on beer and wine sales in grocery stores.

Meanwhile, opponents continued to argue the bill could hurt small, locally owned liquor stores. Pushback has led similar legislation to fizzle out in past sessions.

The House is scheduled to take up debate on the issue Wednesday, March 4.