# Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis (GAB)

## Title 33. Worcester County

### Subtitle 5. Wholesaler's Licenses

#### Section 33-501

(a) The following sections of Title 2, Subtitle 3 ("Wholesaler's Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county without exception or variation:

  (1) Sec. 2-301 ("Licenses issued by Comptroller");

  (2) Sec. 2-304 ("Class 3 beer and wine wholesaler's license");

  (3) Sec. 2-305 ("Class 4 beer wholesaler's license");

  (4) Sec. 2-306 ("Class 5 wine wholesaler's license");

  (5) Sec. 2-307 ("Class 6 limited wine wholesaler's license");

  (6) Sec. 2-308 ("Class 7 limited beer wholesaler's license");

  (7) Sec. 2-309 ("Sale and delivery of beer or wine from wholesaler's vehicle");

  (8) Sec. 2-310 ("Sale and delivery to retail license holder");

  (9) Sec. 2-311 ("Additional wholesaler's licenses");

  (10) Sec. 2-312 ("Direct importation of alcoholic beverages");

  (11) Sec. 2-313 ("Sale or delivery restricted to holder of license or permit");

  (12) Sec. 2-315 ("Interaction between wholesaling entities and retailers");

  (13) Sec. 2-316 ("Distribution of alcoholic beverages -- Prohibited practices"); and

  (14) Sec. 2-317 ("Restrictive agreements between wholesalers and retailers -- Prohibited").

(b) The following sections of Title 2, Subtitle 3 ("Wholesaler's Licenses") of Division I of this article apply in the county:

  (1) Sec.Sec. 2-302 ("Class 1 beer, wine, and liquor wholesaler's license") and 2-303 ("Class 2 wine and liquor wholesaler's license"), subject to Sec. 33-505 of this subtitle; and

  (2) Sec. 2-314 ("Beer sale on credit to retail dealer prohibited"), subject to Sec. 33-504 of this subtitle.

#### Section 33-502

Except as provided in Sec. 33-503 of this subtitle, a holder of a wholesaler's license may sell or deliver alcoholic beverages to a holder of a retail license from 6 a.m. to midnight on every day except Sunday.

#### Section 33-503

(a) A holder of a wholesaler's license may enter into an agreement with a holder of a per diem license issued under Subtitle 13 of this title to deliver beer on the effective date of the per diem license and accept returns on the same day.

(b) The agreement entered into under subsection (a) of this section shall include the type of equipment, services, personnel, and supplies required to dispense draft beer.

#### Section 33-504

(a)

  (1) Notwithstanding Sec. 2-314 of this article, a wholesaler may sell beer on credit to a retail dealer if:

    (i) the retail dealer has been doing business for at least 2 years; and

    (ii) the term of credit extended to the retail dealer does not exceed 10 days, with no grace period.

  (2) A wholesaler that extends credit under this subsection may establish different prices for cash and credit transactions.

(b)

  (1)

    (i) A wholesaler may not intentionally deliver beer to a retail dealer to whom any wholesaler has extended credit under this section if the retail dealer:

      (1) fails to pay the balance owed or makes a payment on the debt by bad check; and

      (2) is currently listed on the county beer credit control list in accordance with regulations that the Executive Director issues.

    (ii) A wholesaler who violates this paragraph is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000 for each delivery.

  (2) The Board may not transfer or renew the license of a retail dealer if the dealer was extended credit under this section and owes a balance on the debt at the time of the transfer or renewal.

  (3) A retail dealer that fails to satisfy a debt on credit extended under this section on three separate occasions within a single calendar year may not obtain beer on credit for 2 years after the third occurrence.

  (4)

    (i) A retail dealer may request a hearing with the Executive Director within 10 days after being listed on the county beer credit control list for failure to comply with this section.

    (ii) The Executive Director shall remove immediately from the county beer credit control list a retail dealer who requests a hearing, pending the disposition of the hearing.

(c) A suit or civil action to enforce or collect a claim for credit extended in violation of this section may not be maintained in the State.

(d) The Executive Director shall enforce subsections (a) and (b) of this section and shall adopt regulations to carry out those subsections.

#### Section 33-505

A license holder in the county may elect to purchase wine or liquor from a licensed wholesaler under Sec. 33-305(c) of this title.

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