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CHAIN STORES

How Maryland Prohibits Chain Store Sales

Maryland law currently prohibits chain stores from selling through three different ways:

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Explicit Prohibition (MD Alcoholic B Code § 4-205 (2019))

  • A local licensing board may not issue a Class A, Class B, or Class D beer license, beer and wine license, or beer, wine, and liquor license for use in conjunction with or on the premises of:

    (1)    a chain store;
    (2)    a supermarket; or
    (3)    a discount house.

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MD Residency/Individuals Only (ruled unenforceable per 2019 US Supreme Court case Tennessee Wine & Spirits Retailers Association v. Thomas)

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Not More than 1 License Per Individual (MD Alcoholic B Code § 4-203 (2019))

  • Except as otherwise provided in Division II of this article, Title 3, Title 4, or Title 5 of this division, or subsection (b) of this section, more than one license may not be issued:(a)   

            (1)    to an individual; or
            (2)    for the use of a partnership, a corporation, an unincorporated association, or a limited liability company.

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