# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 1. Definitions; General Provisions

### Subtitle 4. General Licensing Regulation

#### Section 1-411

(a)

  (1) In this section the following words have the meanings indicated.

  (2) "Authorized instructor" means an instructor at a qualified institution of higher education who:

    (i) teaches a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism; and

    (ii) is at least 21 years old.

  (3) "Qualified institution of higher education" means an institution of postsecondary education that:

    (i) generally limits enrollment to graduates of secondary schools;

    (ii) awards degrees at the associate, baccalaureate, or graduate level; and

    (iii) offers courses or programs in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism.

  (4) "Qualified student" means a student who is:

    (i) at least 18 years old and under the age of 21 years; and

    (ii) enrolled in a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism offered by a qualified institution of higher education.

  (5)

    (i) "Taste" means to draw an alcoholic beverage into the mouth.

    (ii) "Taste" does not include swallowing or otherwise consuming an alcoholic beverage.

(b) A qualified student may taste an alcoholic beverage if:

  (1) the qualified student:

    (i) tastes the alcoholic beverage:

      (1) for educational purposes as part of a course or program in enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism that the qualified student is enrolled in at a qualified institution of higher education; and

      (2) only during the dates and times of the enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism course or program; and

    (ii) spits the alcoholic beverage out after tasting the alcoholic beverage;

  (2) an authorized instructor offers the alcoholic beverage only during the dates and times of the enology, fermenting, brewing, or hospitality and tourism course or program; and

  (3) the alcoholic beverage remains under the control of an authorized instructor.

(c) A qualified institution of higher education is not required to obtain a permit or license issued under this article to allow a qualified student to taste an alcoholic beverage in accordance with this section if the qualified institution does not impose an extra fee or charge for the alcoholic beverage tasted by a qualified student.

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