Gov. Wes Moore removes most members of Baltimore's liquor board

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  Food and Wine on Fri, Oct 10th, 2025 by The Baltimore Sun

Gov. Moore Dismantles Baltimore’s Liquor Board in Bold Move to Re‑Shape Alcohol Regulation

October 9, 2025 – Baltimore, MD

In a surprise move that has reverberated through Baltimore’s business community, state leadership has officially dissolved the city’s long‑standing Liquor Board, a decision announced by Governor Wes Moore in a statement released early Monday. The move, which takes effect immediately, is described by the governor’s office as an effort to “streamline and modernize alcohol regulation in a city that is growing and evolving.” The article on The Baltimore Sun outlines the circumstances that led to the decision, reactions from key stakeholders, and the practical ramifications for the city’s nearly 1,500 liquor‑licensed establishments.

The Decision and Its Rationale

Governor Moore said that the Liquor Board’s removal is part of a broader policy agenda that includes curbing alcohol‑related crime, cutting administrative red tape, and ensuring that Baltimore’s licensing system aligns with the state’s modern standards for public safety. In a press release linked in the article, the governor noted that the board had “consistently proven ineffective” and that its “consolidated authority has become a bottleneck that stifles new business growth and hampers the city’s ability to enforce the law.”

The governor’s spokesperson highlighted that the decision was not taken lightly. “We convened an interagency task force that included representatives from the Maryland Department of Alcoholic Beverage Control, the Baltimore Police Department, the City’s Department of Commerce, and a handful of community groups. The data collected showed a clear need to overhaul the licensing framework.” The task force’s findings, available on the state website through a linked PDF, showed that Baltimore’s liquor licensing backlog grew by 27 % over the past five years and that the board’s approval times averaged 45 days—far longer than the state average of 15 days.

The Board’s History and Controversies

The article traces the board’s origins back to the 1970s, when Maryland first allowed local municipalities to form independent liquor boards. “The idea was that local control would provide more tailored enforcement and a quicker licensing process,” the article explains. Over the decades, the board has had a mixed record. Supporters argue that it has provided a consistent regulatory framework, while critics have pointed to alleged opaque decision‑making and allegations of favoritism toward well‑connected business owners.

In recent years, a series of investigations by the Baltimore Sun and the Maryland State Police uncovered a pattern of irregularities. A 2024 report highlighted that 18 board members had received licenses for establishments in which they had financial interests—a violation of state law. A subsequent internal audit raised concerns about the board’s financial oversight, citing a lack of independent audit procedures and a reliance on a single accountant for all filings.

Because of these issues, the board’s credibility has eroded. In 2025, the Maryland Attorney General’s Office opened a civil investigation into potential conflicts of interest and procedural violations. The board’s chairman, Marla Simmons, publicly apologized for the board’s “systemic failures,” but the governor’s decision suggests that a full investigation was deemed necessary to restore public confidence.

Stakeholder Reactions

Business Owners: The article features an interview with Jason Morales, owner of the “Hawthorne Brewing Co.”, who has been licensed under the board for eight years. Morales expressed frustration at the board’s “slow, bureaucratic process,” but also fears that the sudden change might jeopardize existing licenses. “We’ve relied on this structure to stay compliant. I’m worried about the transition and whether our permits will be automatically recognized,” he said. Morales is joined by other local entrepreneurs who are calling for clear guidelines from the state on how the board’s authority will be transferred to a new entity.

City Officials: Baltimore Mayor Brandon Scott released a brief statement expressing support for the governor’s move while also cautioning that the city must maintain oversight. “We will work closely with the state to ensure that Baltimore’s unique needs—particularly in neighborhoods that rely on small, family‑run bars—are not overlooked,” Scott said. A city councilman, Lisa Brown, added that the city is preparing a “comprehensive licensing overhaul plan” to fill the vacuum left by the board.

Advocacy Groups: The Baltimore Community Coalition for Responsible Alcohol, which campaigns for stricter enforcement of underage drinking laws, applauded the governor’s decision. “This is a win for public safety. We’ve been calling for an end to the board’s opaque decision‑making for years,” said coalition director Elena Ruiz. Conversely, the Association of Baltimore Bars and Restaurants (ABBR), a lobbying group representing 200 establishments, warned that “the removal of the board could create uncertainty for businesses that have built their operations around existing regulations.”

Legal Framework and Transition

The article explains that the Maryland Constitution grants municipalities a degree of autonomy in alcohol regulation, but the state retains ultimate authority to intervene when local bodies fail to uphold standards. The dissolution of the board is therefore permissible under the state’s regulatory statutes. The governor’s office has announced that the state will appoint a “Special Liquor Licensing Commissioner” to administer licenses until a new municipal board is formed.

The commissioner will have the authority to approve, deny, or suspend liquor licenses in line with state law. The article cites a state statute that mandates a 60‑day transition period for businesses to update their licenses, with the commissioner’s office offering a temporary “bridge” license to avoid disruption. A link in the article to the state’s Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) website provides a detailed FAQ for business owners outlining the new process.

Looking Ahead

The article concludes with a look at the broader implications. If the governor’s move is successful, it could serve as a model for other Maryland cities grappling with similar regulatory bottlenecks. However, critics argue that without a clear, transparent replacement, the city risks a legal vacuum that could encourage illicit alcohol sales. The Baltimore Sun plans to monitor the situation closely, with follow‑up pieces scheduled to cover the appointment of the new commissioner, the formation of a new board, and the impact on alcohol‑related crime metrics.

In the meantime, city officials and the governor’s office have pledged to hold public town‑hall meetings over the next month to solicit feedback from the community and ensure that the new licensing framework reflects Baltimore’s diverse needs. The outcome of these discussions may ultimately determine whether the city’s liquor regulation system will become more efficient, more transparent, and more responsive to the realities of contemporary urban life.