Maryland Senate’s Top Leader Downplays Idea of Booze in Grocery Stores

Maryland Senate’s Top Leader Downplays Grocery Store Alcohol Sales Initiative

Senate President Bill Ferguson expressed limited interest Monday in pursuing legislation that would allow alcohol sales in Maryland grocery stores, despite Governor Wes Moore’s recent support for such a change.

“This is not something that we’re going to be spending a lot of brain power trying to figure out,” Ferguson told The Baltimore Sun in a Monday interview.

The stance creates potential friction with Moore’s position from December, when the Democratic governor voiced support for allowing beer and wine sales in grocery stores. Moore had emphasized the broad public backing for such a change, stating he looked forward to working with legislators to “advance this overdue change in policy to advance consumer choice and economic competitiveness that enjoys the support of the vast majority of Marylanders across political parties and regions.”

The issue highlights Maryland’s unique position as one of only three states that currently prohibit beer and wine sales in grocery stores. This restriction has long been a topic of debate in state policy discussions regarding retail alcohol sales.