It may be a sign of the times that both chambers of the Maine Legislature passed a bill on Monday allowing a limited amount of home distilling of spirits for personal consumption, legalizing it at the state level while it remains illegal federally.
[RELATED: Committee Votes in Favor of Home Distilling Law Despite Opposition from Four Skeptical Reps…]
The bill, LD 631, was passed in both the House and Senate “under the hammer” without the need for a roll-call vote, with both chambers accepting the majority “ought to pass as amended” recommendation from the Veterans and Legal Affairs (VLA) Committee work session.
Monday’s decision puts the bill into the “passed to be enacted” stage, where it now awaits a signature from Gov. Janet Mills (D-Maine).
Rep. Tammy Schmersal-Burgess (R-Mexico) sponsored the bill at the request of a constituent. It will allow Mainers to distill up to 48 gallons of spirits per year for personal consumption. Moonshiners will not, however, be permitted to sell any of their product, though they will be allowed to share it with friends and family.
Maine’s distilling laws, like those surrounding marijuana, will make legal at the state level something that remains illegal federally. Other states, including neighboring New Hampshire, already have similar laws allowing a limited amount of home distilling.
The initial version of the bill also allowed home-distilled liquor to be “shipped” to friends and family, but the amended version awaiting gubernatorial approval struck that provision.
The VLA committee voted 9-4 in favor of the bill, with party-poopers including Reps. Anne Graham (D-North Yarmouth), Sharon Frost (U-Belgrade), Sean Faircloth (D-Bangor), and Marc Malon (D-Biddeford), who opposed.
Many of the objections to the bill during its public hearing pointed out that home distilling remains federally illegal and highlighted the dangers possible with improper distilling, including the potential for explosions and the unintentional production of a deadly drink.
