Could Maryland legalize beer and wine sales in grocery stores?

BETHESDA, Md. - There could be a big change for beer and wine sales in Maryland. 

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore told FOX 5 he wants lawmakers in Annapolis to send him a bill to allow beer and wine sales in supermarkets.

The backing of the state's governor is a major boost to what's been a long push to allow Marylanders to buy beer and wine where they already buy their groceries.

In 1978, Maryland lawmakers, concerned about underage drinking and alcoholism, banned sales of beer or wine in Maryland grocery stores. Almost every year since, there have been calls to do away with the law, and every year those efforts have failed. 

Moore, in a statement to FOX 5, says, "Lifting this ban puts the consumers first and ensures fair competition in the marketplace." 

The Maryland Retail Association backs the move, citing widespread public support for beer and wine sales in Maryland supermarkets. But Charles County Del. C.T. Wilson is concerned it would put small liquor stores out of business.

"They’re going to be the ones that shutter all these small businesses and that needs to be taken into account because I talk about how we support small businesses. You can’t let large businesses come in and just kick them out, and that’s what they’ll be doing," said Wilson. 

"We know that the food and spirits industries can operate peacefully and side by side in every other place in the country, so we really don’t think this is going to have a ‘sky is falling’ impact," said Sara Price from the Maryland Retail Association. 

The Maryland Retailers’ Association estimates beer and wine sales could generate $30 million for the state in the first year.