This policy topic is included in the APIS Highlight on Underage Drinking section.  The Highlight's overview of underage drinking policy in the United States provides additional context that may be helpful in understanding this policy topic. State-by-State summaries of the APIS underage drinking policy topics are available in the State Profiles of Underage Drinking Laws section.  Maps and charts for all of these policy topics are collected on a single page to provide a more comprehensive graphical overview of underage policies.

Policy Description

Most States, but not all, prohibit minors from purchasing or attempting to purchase alcoholic beverages.  Note that a minor purchasing alcoholic beverages can be prosecuted for possession since, arguably, a sale cannot be completed until there is possession on the part of the purchaser.  Purchase and possession are nevertheless separate offenses.  A minor who purchases alcoholic beverages is potentially liable for two offenses in States that have both prohibitions.

In some States, a person under age 21 is allowed to purchase alcoholic beverages as part of a law enforcement action.  Most commonly, these actions are checks on merchant compliance or stings to identify merchants who illegally sell alcoholic beverages to minors.  This allowance for purchase in the law enforcement context may exist even though a State does not have a law specifically prohibiting underage purchase.    

Email a link to this page: http://alcoholpolicy.niaaa.nih.gov/UnderagePurchase