Howard County allows flower shops to deliver alcohol gift baskets

The county Board may issue a gift basket permit to an eligible business, allowing it to sell and deliver alcohol in gift baskets. The permit is for qualifying flower and gift basket businesses in Howard County. The business must primarily sell and deliver flowers, also sell and deliver gift baskets, and hold no other alcohol license or permit under this article. The permit cannot be used with or at a chain store, supermarket, or discount house. A basket may contain up to 72 ounces of beer, 2.25 liters of wine, or 2.25 liters of liquor, and must go to a consumer of legal drinking age in Howard County. Alcohol must be bought from a retail license holder. Alcohol sales cannot exceed 10% of the holder’s annual gross sales. The holder must keep records and report as the Board requires. The law took effect July 1, 2026.

The law exempts gift basket permits from the distance limits for alcohol licenses near public school buildings. This exception applies to gift basket permits in Howard County. The law took effect July 1, 2026.