# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 4. General Licensing Regulation

#### Section 1-401

(a) Unless otherwise provided for in this article or the Tax - General Article, a person may not:

  (1) sell alcoholic beverages;

  (2) allow alcoholic beverages to be sold;

  (3) accept or deliver alcoholic beverages; or

  (4) for the purpose of sale, transport, buy, possess, or keep alcoholic beverages or allow alcoholic beverages to be transported, bought, possessed, or kept:

    (i) in a vehicle, a water vessel, or an aircraft;

    (ii) on any premises; or

    (iii) under the person's charge or control.

(b)

  (1) Except as provided in paragraph (2) of this subsection, a person may not buy, possess, store, import, transport, or keep alcoholic beverages or allow alcoholic beverages to be bought, possessed, stored, imported, transported, or kept:

    (i) in a vehicle, a water vessel, or an aircraft;

    (ii) on any premises; or

    (iii) under the person's charge or control.

  (2) A person may perform an activity listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection if the person is:

    (i) a consumer;

    (ii) subject to the requirements under this article, a license holder; or

    (iii) an individual under the age of 21 years who possesses or is transporting alcoholic beverages for a lawful purpose:

      (1) with the knowledge and consent of the individual's parent or guardian; or

      (2) incident to the lawful employment of the individual under this article.

(c) Except as provided in Sec. 1-411 of this subtitle, an individual under the age of 21 years may not:

  (1) buy, consume, possess, store, import, transport, or keep alcoholic beverages for the individual's own use; or

  (2) buy, possess, store, import, transport, or keep alcoholic beverages for any purpose in a jurisdiction where prohibited under State law.

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Md. Code Ann., Alco. Bev. (as displayed at mgaleg.maryland.gov, October 16, 2026)