Maryland Alcohol Sales Stagnant: Where Will You Get Your Christmas Spirits?

Increased alcohol taxes in Maryland may be forcing customers to drive to Delaware.

  Sales of distilled spirits have increased only .2 percent in Maryland since last year—far below the national average of 3.1 percent, according to figures stated in a recent Washington Post blog post. The post cites the Distilled Council of the United States, which linked the stagnating sales to the increase in taxes on alcohol—from 6 percent to 9 percent. The chief economist for the council, David Ozgo, is quoted as stating that “Maryland consumers are voting with their feet and making their purchases in Delaware.” A Capital News Service article reported that sales of distilled spirits near the border of Maryland and Delaware in Cecil County are down 57 percent. Do you venture to other states like Delaware to purchase alcohol?

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