{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-alcoholic-beverages-and-cannabis-22-2501","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis § 22–2501","heading":"","body":"(a) Except as provided in subsection (b) of this section and otherwise provided in this article, a person may not knowingly allow the consumption, possession, or transfer of alcoholic beverages in an establishment that is a restaurant, tavern, hotel, club, dance studio, disco, or place of public entertainment if:\n(1) the establishment is not licensed by the Board;\n(2) the person possesses or controls the establishment as owner, lessee, or user; and\n(3) the establishment is:\n(i) open to the public or licensed by the State; or\n(ii) licensed by the State or a county unit other than the Board.\n(b) (1) The prohibition under subsection (a) of this section does not apply to:\n(i) the room of a registered guest in a hotel, motel, or hospice; or\n(ii) the property of:\n1. a volunteer fire company;\n2. a catering establishment;\n3. a community or civic association;\n4. a swim club;\n5. a social, civic, nonprofit, charitable, fraternal, patriotic, educational, or public service organization; or\n6. a religious institution that has been in existence for at least 3 years.\n(2) The Board may exempt a place similar to one listed in paragraph (1) of this subsection on a case–by–case basis.\n(3) The Board shall adopt regulations to administer this subsection.\n(c) An owner, a manager, or an employee of an establishment subject to the prohibitions of this section who knowingly allows the prohibited consumption in violation of this section is guilty of a misdemeanor and on conviction is subject to a fine not exceeding $1,000.","path":["Article - Alcoholic Beverages and Cannabis"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=gab\u0026section=22-2501","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:56:03Z","sha256":"71c420e983951f2898fc879c9f2e3b6cd1ec45a79c4ffef2665d273fb0f1aff4","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-alcoholic-beverages-and-cannabis-22-2403","next":"us-md/md.-code-alcoholic-beverages-and-cannabis-22-2502"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}