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I read an article from the associated press today which reported that Maine state senator Lynn Bromley has sponsored a bill (which was up for review today) which would legally allow adults in Maine to have wine shipped to their homes. I was really astonished and annoyed… that this wasn’t already legal!

Apparently this is the fourth time in the last few years such a bill has come before the State Legislature. Each time it has been defeated due to concerns from state police that wine deliveries will open the door to under-age drinking. Even though the wine cannot be delivered without the signature of the recipient, who must be over the age of 21 and similar programs are already legal (and work just fine) in thirty other states.

The thought that home delivery of alcohol — I assume the bill also applies to popular beer-related delivery services like Beer of the Month Clubs and homebrew competitions, although an email to the Senator to get that question answered bounced — would increase the likelihood of under-age drinking is preposterous. It is far less likely that someone under the age of 21 could get beer or wine delivered to their house safely (its doubtful that their parents would sign for it) than that they could solicit a stranger at a package store to get it for them.

On the other hand, if they were able to somehow have booze delivered to their house, at least they’d be HOME. Not out drinking in unfamiliar places with unfamiliar people or, even worse – driving to their home after drinking.

I am not condoning under-age drinking at all, but not allowing legal, consenting adults to have beer & wine delivered to their private home — wine & beer maybe they cannot get anywhere else — because their kids might get their hands on it (which of course they wouldn’t be able to do with the booze already in the house) is just wrong. I only hope that this is the last time such a bill has to come before the State Legislature; there is no reason for such a delivery service to be illegal anywhere in the U.S.!

Technorati Tags: beer, wine, Maine, Beer of the Month Clubs, wine clubs, wine of the month