What Are Some Thing's You Can't Do in Maryland?

MARYLAND - Maryland, often called "America in Miniature," is known for its sailing culture, the Chesapeake Bay, and its historic ties to the Civil War. However, the State legal code is a mix of colonial-era restrictions and hyper-local ordinances that can make for some surprising "don'ts." Here are a few things you cannot do in the Old Line State.

---

1. You Can't Buy Beer or Wine in Most Grocery Stores

If you're planning a party and need a one-stop shop for chips and a six-pack, Maryland will throw you for a loop.

• The Law: Since 1978, Maryland has banned the sale of beer and wine in chain retail stores and grocery stores.
• The Exceptions: You might find a few "grandfathered" locations (like certain Wegmans or Safeways) that still have licenses, but for the vast majority of the state, you must visit a dedicated liquor store to buy any form of alcohol.

2. You Can't Predict the Future (In Certain Counties)

Maryland has a surprisingly long-running legal battle with fortunetelling.

• The Restriction: In Caroline County, it is technically illegal to "forecast or pretend to foretell the future" for money. Violating this can result in a fine or even jail time.
• The Shifts: While similar bans in Montgomery County and Baltimore have been struck down or challenged as free speech issues, several local municipalities still maintain strict licensing requirements or outright prohibitions on psychics, palm readers, and phrenologists.

3. You Can't "Mistreat" an Oyster (In Baltimore)

Baltimore has a deep history with the Chesapeake Bay's bounty, and the law reflects a certain level of respect for it.

• The Weird Rule: Within the city of Baltimore, it is technically illegal to "mistreat" an oyster.
• The Context: While this sounds like a joke, it stems from early conservation and sanitation efforts to ensure the quality of the city's famous seafood trade. In a similar vein, all Maryland seafood restaurants are legally required to recycle their oyster shells to help restore oyster beds in the Bay.

4. You Can't Throw Hay Out a Second-Story Window

This Baltimore ordinance is a favorite of "weird law" enthusiasts across the country.

• The Law: It is illegal to throw a bale of hay (or anything heavy) out of a second-story window within city limits.
• The Loophole: Curiously, the law specifies the second story—implying that the first, third, or fourth stories might be legally exempt from this specific "hay-throwing" restriction.

5. You Can't Buy a Drink for a Female Bartender

This is a quirky "morality" law that remains on the books from an era where bartenders were often seen as targets for unwanted solicitation.

• The Ban: Under state law, men are technically prohibited from purchasing alcoholic beverages for female bartenders while they are on duty.

  
  
  

6. You Can't Be a "Judgey" Landlord About Clotheslines

Maryland is one of the few states with a "Right-to-Dry" law.

• The Right: Since 2010, landlords and Homeowners Associations (HOAs) cannot prohibit you from using a clothesline to dry your laundry.
• The Impact: Even if your neighborhood has strict aesthetic rules, the state protects your right to use solar and wind energy (via a simple rope and clothespins) to dry your clothes.

---

7. You Can't Sing Only Part of "The Star-Spangled Banner."

As the birthplace of the national anthem, Maryland takes the song seriously.

• The Rule: In the City of Baltimore, "The Star-Spangled Banner" cannot be played or sung as part of a medley or "rendered" except as an entire and separate work.
• The Fine: Using the anthem as an exit march or a dance tune can technically result in a fine of up to $100.

---

Maryland's laws highlight its unique identity—a state that fiercely protects its oysters, its national anthem, and its local liquor stores.

Maryland News