Md. Alcohol Trade Groups Agrees to a de Facto Ban on Caffeinated Booze

Maryland's two largest alcohol trade groups have just instructed their members to stop selling alcoholic drinks infused with caffeine, according to the Baltimore Sun:

The Maryland deal is not binding and does not make the product illegal. The Maryland Beer Wholesalers Association, a group of 22 businesses that distribute most of the alcohol in the state to bars and stores, agreed unanimously to stop importing caffeinated alcoholic drinks, said Nick Manis, a lobbyist for the group.
"No additional product will be entering the state," Manis said.
The voluntary ban won't prevent the businesses from distributing the supplies left in warehouses, but Manis said that his clients anticipated the action and have not ordered the product in weeks. . . .

Also signing on to the agreement was the board of the Maryland Beer Wholesalers Association, which represents about 1,600 of the state's roughly 6,000 licensed alcohol stores and bars. The group's board of directors Wednesday voted to ask members to yank the product from their shelves, though individual liquor stores and bars may determine if and when they want to comply. . . .  

The agreement won't preclude lawmakers from pursuing a complete ban in Maryland. The possibility of legislation was floated by Lt. Gov. Anthony G. Brown, who presided over the Board of Public Works Wednesday at which Franchot announced the deal.