Heather Curtis
WMAL.com

WASHINGTON – Montgomery County residents may have more places to buy liquor come July 1. Privately owned stores in the county would be able to sell liquor under a bill passed by the Maryland general assembly this session and supported by the county council and executive. Now those stores can only sell beer and wine because county stores have a monopoly on liquor sales.

“I think this is probably gonna increase sales and increase sales at the DLC [Department of Liquor Control]. Overall I think the county’s probably gonna be selling more [liquor] if people have better access to it,” said Del. Charlie Barkley, a member of the Montgomery County Delegation.

Montgomery County Council member George Leventhal explained the county acts as an alcohol wholesaler, so if the DLC can sell liquor to private businesses in addition to beer and wine, it would take in more revenue. Barkley said the legislation creates a win-win situation because private retailers would also make more money.

Neither man had estimates as to how much extra revenue the county or retailers could make if the bill becomes law.

“I’ve not spoken to the governor, but I didn’t think it was that controversial, so I don’t expect him not to sign it,” said Barkley.

Maryland Gov. Larry Hogan has signed some bills passed this legislative session into law and will sign more in May.

Copyright 2017 WMAL.com All Rights Reserved (Photo: Pixabay)