It allows 18 shipments per year, but Maryland citizens are only allowed to buy wine shipped directly from wineries. The bill does not allow people to buy wine from retail outlets or auction houses.
Sorry everyone – you aren’t going to be shipping in that hard to find beer.
Hooray – some of my civil rights were actually restored today. Maryland has finally done what 37 states have previously recognized.
It’s clear that this bill isn’t everything that everyone wanted, but it represents progress and I’m glad to take it. With that said, I still feel that the distributors are entirely too strong in this state. Short and simple – their lobby killed the effort to be able to buy wine from any retailer.
UPDATE: More info here.