Maryland Governor Signs Bill to Allow Cocktails To-Go Until June 2023
Measure provides support to struggling hospitality businesses, increased convenience for consumers
Annapolis, Md. – Today, Maryland Governor Larry Hogan signed HB12/SB 205, a bill to allow cocktails to-go from restaurants, bars and taverns until June 30, 2023 – increasing consumer convenience and supporting hospitality businesses devastated by COVID-19.
“The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated Maryland’s hospitality businesses, and it will take years for them to fully recover,” said Jay Hibbard, Distilled Spirits Council of the United States Senior Vice President of State Government Relations. “Cocktails to-go has already proven to be a vital part of their survival during COVID-19 and will only provide increased stability in the future. Local restaurants, bars and taverns are desperate for a sustained source of revenue, and cocktails to-go provide a critical lifeline for these businesses. We thank the legislature and Governor Hogan for extending cocktails to-go in support of Maryland’s hospitality businesses.”
Background:
More than 35 states began allowing restaurants and/or bars to sell cocktails to-go as a COVID economic relief measure. Iowa, Ohio, Kentucky, Wisconsin, Montana, Arkansas, West Virginia, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, Florida and the District of Columbia have all made COVID-era cocktails to-go measures permanent. Dozens of other states are also considering legislation to extend or make permanent cocktails to-go measures.
The distilled spirits industry is committed to responsibility and encourages moderation for adults who choose to drink alcohol. Cocktails to-go are intended for home consumption. Laws governing alcohol consumption must always be observed.
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