As can be seen in the table below, since the repeal of prohibition in 1933, there has been great volatility in the age of alcohol consumption in the states. Shortly after the 21st Amendment was ratified in December, most states set their purchasing age at 21, which was the voting age at the time. Most of these limits remained constant until the early 1970s. From 1969 to 1976, about 30 states lowered their purchasing age, usually to 18. This was largely due to the fact that the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 with the passage of the 26th Amendment in 1971. Many states began lowering their minimum drinking age, most in 1972 or 1973. [2] [3] [4] Twelve states have maintained their purchasing age at 21 since the repeal of prohibition and have never changed it. In a private home or private office and parents say alcohol is acceptable? You can drink. 16 states: Alaska, Arizona, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Iowa, Louisiana, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Jersey, North Carolina, Ohio, Utah, Washington, Wyoming There are only five states without an exemption from federal law: Alabama, Arkansas, Idaho, New Hampshire, and West Virginia.
Forty-five States have exceptions, and these exceptions vary widely and merit further discussion. Some states are strict when it comes to underage drinking and may also have special laws to determine blood alcohol concentration (“BAC”), where a person under the age of 21 is considered intoxicated. If you are a miner, these values are often low or set to zero. In general, if you`re under 21, it doesn`t take much alcohol to bring your blood alcohol level up to the levels set in many states. Low levels and some severe penalties are set to deter underage consumption. The history of American alcohol consumption is complicated. As with many other vices, alcohol is both celebrated – “It`s Miller time!” – and condemned in popular culture. More than 1 in 7 American adults say drinking alcohol is a sin, according to a 2015 Pew Research Center survey. Many states require alcohol to be provided directly by the family member, while others require the family member to be present during consumption. Other states stipulate that the family member must provide the alcohol and be present during consumption.
This card masks an incredible complexity and variety of exceptions for minors. Some states make exceptions when minors are allowed to consume alcohol. Others make exceptions if they are allowed to own it. Still other states, such as Arkansas, do not have exemptions for possession or consumption by minors, but still make exceptions for parents who want to provide alcohol to their children. All of this adds up to a confusing mess that is almost impossible for parents, teens, and even lawyers to understand. 8. In liquor stores with parental consent: In some states, underage drinking is permitted at an alcohol outlet such as a restaurant or bar if the liquor is provided to the minor by a legal guardian and the minor is in the presence of their legal guardian. It`s not just ordinary people who struggle to understand these apparent contradictions — some states even publish seemingly contradictory information about their juvenile laws. For example, if you`re looking for underage alcohol laws in New York City, you`ll find this booklet from the State Liquor Authority that pretty clearly states, “If you`re under 21, it`s a violation of the law to consume alcohol with intent to consume alcohol.” There are also laws to protect underage drinkers from prosecution if they report or seek medical help for another minor. Currently, seventeen states provide exceptions related to underage drinking when seeking medical assistance for another minor.
* For established religious purposes;* If a person under twenty-one years of age is accompanied by a parent, spouse or guardian twenty-one years of age or older;* For medical purposes, if purchased as an over-the-counter drug or prescribed or administered by a physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, a hospital or an authorized medical facility;* In a private dwelling, which includes a residential dwelling and up to twenty contiguous hectares on which the dwelling belonging to the same person who owns it is situated;* the sale, handling, transport or service of supplying alcoholic beverages on the basis of the lawful ownership of an establishment or the lawful employment of a person under twenty-one years of age by a duly licensed producer, wholesaler or retailer of alcoholic beverages. In some religions, it is customary to serve small amounts of wine to parishioners as part of a service or ceremony. It would be illegal for anyone under the age of 21 to participate in these activities, but some states have exceptions to allow believers under the age of 21 to legally participate in the rituals. This state is strict and enforces the law against possession or consumption of alcohol by persons under the age of 21. There is an exception for minors who are at home with a parent or guardian.