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The alcohol laws of the United States regarding minimum age for purchase have changed over time. In colonial America, generally speaking, there were no purchase ages, and alcohol consumption by young teenagers was common, even in taverns. [1]
The Act requires all states to either set their minimum age to purchase alcoholic beverages and the minimum age to possess alcoholic beverages in public to no lower than 21 years of age or lose 10% (Changed to 8% in 2012) of their allocated federal highway funding if the minimum age for the aforementioned is lower than 21 years of age.
Although the purchase of alcohol by persons under the age of 21 is illegal, people aged 12–20 years old consume 11% of all alcohol consumed in the US. [7] Among the 14 million adults aged 21 or older who were classified as having alcohol dependence or abuse in the past year, more than 13 million had started using alcohol before age 21. [8]
In the United States, the minimum legal age to purchase alcoholic beverages is 21 years of age; the two exceptions are Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands where the age is 18. The legal drinking age varies by state, and many states have no age requirements for supervised drinking with one's parents or legal guardians.
This was repealed with the passing of the Twenty-first Amendment in 1933, which was followed by the adoption of minimum legal drinking age policies in all states, with most states electing a minimum legal drinking age (MLDA) of 21. [5] Between 1970 and 1975, 29 states lowered the MLDA from 21 to 18, 19, or 20.
According to state law, there are four forms of acceptable identification you can show to prove you are old enough to buy alcohol: A driver’s license A special identification card
A new law also allows those 21 or older to buy liquor online from ABC stores in the state. Once an order is placed, it has to be picked up in-person at the store, and customers must show a valid ID.
Exceptions to Minimum Age of 21 for Consumption of Alcohol as of 2007. Although the minimum legal age to purchase alcohol is 21 in all U.S. states and most territories [1] (see: National Minimum Drinking Age Act), the legal details for consumption vary greatly. Although some states completely ban alcohol usage for people under 18, the majority ...