MD Alcohol History | Maryland Alcohol Licensing Association

18TH Amendment: A product of the temperance movement, supporting the idea that prohibiting the production, transport, and sale of liquor wine, and beer would also end poverty and other social problems.

What the 18th Amendment DID NOT do: Contrary to popular belief, Drinking alcohol wasn't illegal, if you had a private supply. Most people did not have access to alcohol.

Prohibition's impact: Alcohol consumption in the United States did go down from 1920-1933, BUT enforcement proved to be incredibly difficult.

Maryland: Maryland was the only state to refuse to enforce the 18th Amendment. On January 9, 1921, Governor Albert Ritchie said, “It is not my purpose in this connection today to complain of an unwarranted invasion by the Federal Government of the liberties of the Maryland People..."

Speakeasies and organized crime: Organized crime filled the void, and bootlegging and private clubs/hidden bars became the vogue. "Shh...speak 'easy' - is the password," patrons said.

Franklin D. Roosevelt and prohibition: Repealing the 18th Amendment was part of his 1932 platform.

Prohibition - a public policy failure: "There is not less drunkeness in the Republic, but more. There is not less crime, but more. Not less insanity, but more. The cost of government is not smaller, but vastly greater. Respect for the law has not increased, but diminished," H.L. Mencken - Baltimore journalist.

Learn more

'Dry Towns' in the USA (Alcohol.org - an American Addiction Centers Resource)

Drinking apple cider or the hard stuff? Nov. 30, 1930, Baltimore City Life Museum Collection

Three-Tier System: With the passage of the 21st Amendment came the right for states to regulate alcohol distribution as they saw fit. The three-tier system was created to ensure checks and balances, and ultimately to keep consumers safe. Interestingly, a 2012 survey by the Center for Alcohol Policy indicated that states still support the system.

Underage drinking - from 18-21: Prior to the passage of the National Minimum Drinking Age Act in 1984, the legal drinking age varied from state-to-state. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, after all states adopted an age 21 MLDA, drinking during the previous month among people aged 18-20 declined by 59 percent. States also saw a 16 percent decline in motor vehicle crashes.

Underage drinking in Maryland: Maryland laws say that those 18 years or older can be servers and bartenders in establishments that sell beer or wine. BUT, in the case of spirits, individuals must be 21.

Drinking and driving in Maryland: Maryland laws prohibit anyone from drinking under the influence of alcohol when the blood concentration (BAC) is 0.08 percent or higher. It is illegal for anyone under 21 to drive with any alcohol in their systems. Their blood alcohol concentration (BAC) must be 0.00 percent.

Maryland Alcohol Laws today: The Maryland General Assembly approved more than 60 new alcoholic beverage laws created opportunities in Maryland. "Savvy players in the alcoholic beverage industrial complex will find business opportunities to lead and profit in matters of beer, wine and spirits, including opportunities advantaged by these newly enacted laws" (Maryland Alcoholic Beverage Law).

More than 60 New Alcoholic Beverage Laws Create Opportunity in Maryland (Maryland Alcoholic Beverage Law - Administrative Law and Regulatory Matters in the Alcoholic Drink Industry)

Underage Drinking - Maryland (Alcohol Policy Information System, NIAAA)

Prohibition to the Present