Lawmakers Submit Direct Shipping Of Wine Bill
ANNAPOLIS, Md. (AP) -- Lawmakers have submitted legislation to allow the direct shipping of wine in Maryland.
The legislation, which was introduced Friday, has a majority of sponsors in both the House and Senate. Currently, 37 states and the District of Columbia allow wine to be shipped in the mail.
The measures introduced by Sen. Jamie Raskin, D-Montgomery, and Delegate Jolene Ivey, D-Prince George's, would allow consumers to order a limited number of cases of wine per year directly from the winery or an in-state or out-of-state retailer.
Wine is now shipped in Maryland to an in-state wholesaler who sells to a distributor who then delivers the products to individual retailers. The system doesn't satisfy connoisseurs who want what is not available in the state.
(Copyright 2011 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)
