Press Conference, Hearing Today for Direct Wine Shipping
MEDIA ADVISORY FROM SEN. JAMIE RASKIN
For Immediate Release
March 6, 2008
(Unavailable) Wine Tasting and Press Conference
Senator Jamie Raskin will hold a wine tasting and press conference at the Maryland Inn on Friday, March 7, 2008 at 12:15p. The wine tasting will consist of wines currently unavailable to Maryland consumers through traditional purchasing mechanisms because of the states antiquated laws. Senator Raskin will be joined by Delegate Tom Hucker, who has cross-filed the bill in the House, Senator Madaleno, Senator Robey, Delegate Ali, Delegate Mizeur, Delegate Ross, Delegate Taylor, Maryland consumers, and other members of the Senate and House.
The press conference and wine tasting will be followed by a bill hearing for SB 616, which would allow for the direct shipment of wine to the consumer. SB 616 will be heard by the Education, Health and Environmental Affairs Committee at 1pm. This legislation would allow both in-state and out-of-state wineries and retailers to ship wine directly to adults in Maryland upon purchase of a direct shipper's license.
"SB 616 is a pro-consumer and pro-wine maker bill that will bring a long-overdue free market in wine to Maryland's frustrated wine lovers and wine producers," said Senator Raskin, who is "pretty much a teetotaler" but represents many wine-lovers. "We have ridiculous liquor laws going back to the repeal of Prohibition, and it's time to bring some market freedom to the wine sector."
Maryland consumers are currently prohibited from purchasing wines online and receiving gift shipments such as wine-of-the-month club selections.
They are even forbidden to ship wine home from wineries which they visit in Maryland or other states. Maryland's wineries are even barred from shipping to Marylanders.
SB 616 would permit direct shipment of wine to consumers by Maryland wineries and others. Licensed shippers must pay a yearly license fee, as well as Maryland excise and sales taxes. The bill requires wine shipments to be clearly marked as containing alcohol and prohibits persons under 21 from receiving direct-shipped wine. According to a report by the Federal Trade Commission in 2003, a survey of eleven states with direct wine shipment found "no evidence suggesting direct shipping increases underage access," a statement consistent with sworn testimony from state alcohol regulators.
"Opponents of a free market in wine claim that it will increase underage drinking," said Senator Raskin, "but this is silly."
Testifying in support of the bill on Friday are the Maryland Office of the Comptroller, Marylanders for Better Beer and Wine Laws, Maryland Wineries Association, Wine Institute, the CATO Institute, and Wine Enthusiast.
