Gov. Wes Moore announced Wednesday he supports allowing the sale of beer and wine in grocery stores across the state — weighing in on a contentious idea that has previously failed in the legislature.

Most counties in the state do not have beer and wine in grocery and convenience stores, going back to 1978 when Maryland prevented supermarket chains from obtaining liquor licenses. There are a few exceptions, with some stores grandfathered in to selling alcohol due to a preexisting liquor license. Attempts to change the law last year were unsuccessful.

But Moore hopes that will change by the end of the next legislative session — which begins in January — despite some pushback.

“Maryland is one of only three states that bans the sale of beer in grocery stores and one of only ten that ban the sale of wine,” he said in a Wednesday afternoon statement. He added that the ban has put grocers at a disadvantage and led to less consumer choice.

A poll cited by the Maryland Retailers Alliance, which represents grocers, drugstores and other merchants, shows that more than 70% of Marylanders in a recent year were in favor of purchasing beer and wine at local grocers. The president for the group, Cailey Locklair, said the new licenses, jobs and tax revenues from allowing the sale would be a “win-win” for everyone.

While Moore supports the idea, as first reported by Maryland Matters, he is not submitting his own bill changing the law or adding this effort to his list of priorities for the session, leaving some confused.

“I don’t remember a governor ever weighing in on this,” said Jack Milani, who heads the statewide licensed beverage association that represents liquor stores and bars and restaurants. He also runs Monaghan’s Pub in Baltimore County. “I’d like to at least have a seat at the table.”

Milani believes allowing beer and wine to be sold broadly would reduce revenue for liquor sellers and leave an even smaller piece of the pie for local mom-and-pop stores. “You’ve taken the market and divided it among more people,” Milani said, adding that he worries more of the sales would be redistributed to large grocer chains and corporations.

He says he will continue to oppose whatever measure is brought to Moore to remove this ban, but it’s hard to know what to expect since a bill has yet to be introduced.

Last year, legislators attempted to pass a bill through the House allowing food retailers to apply for liquor licenses, but the measure failed. Locklair said the issues that stalled the measure, specifically the ban’s affect on small liquor businesses, are not true, citing an analysis by the retailer association that shows other states have allowed sales with minimal fallout on liquor businesses.

Del. C.T. Wilson, chair of the House of Delegates Ways and Means Committee, which handles all alcohol bills, is doubtful Moore will see any movement on the matter.

“I don’t believe its in Maryland’s top 25 priorities,” he said. “I’d be surprised if a bill lands on his [Moore’s] desk.”

This story will be updated.