Is it true that there are legal drinking age exceptions?

Question

what are they and in which states?

Answer 1

As of August 2005

ID, IN, PA, AL, DC, WV, NC, KS - In these 7 states and Washington DC you cannot consume alcohol until you are 21.

CA, HI, NV, WY, NM, OK, IA, MO, MS, KY, GA, SC, FL, VA, MD, NY, CT, RI, MA, NH - In these 20 states consumption is allowed under 21. However, public possession is still not allowed under 21.

In the other 23 states consumption is prohibited with exceptions.

Answer 2

I can't imagine why anyone under the legal drinking age would be allowed to have an exception to drink legally - not even for a medical reason. If you are under age and are caught drinking/drunk, you will be cited or arrested regardless of the state in which you live. Someone must be pulling your leg.

Edit: My answer is in regard to drinking outside the home and outside the supervision of parents and guardians because I assume you are asking how you can get away with buying/consuming alcohol on the sly. You can't. Even if you are with your parents, they cannot allow you to drink at a restaurant, for example. If you are under 21 (in most states) that means no legal public drinking.

Answer 3

There used to be...back in the day (some 20 years ago) the legal drinking age was 18 in New York but when I went to California on vacation, the legal drinking age there was 21. Every club just asked for a New York Driver's license proving I was a resident there and they served me with no problems.

Somehow I doubt that is still the case.

Answer 4

From Potsdam.edu:

"while it is commonly believed that the minimum drinking age is 21, people can legally drink below that age under many different circumstances.

The National Minimum Drinking Age Act of 1984 required all states to raise their minimum purchase and public possession of alcohol age to 21. States that did not comply faced a reduction in highway funds under the Federal Highway Aid Act.... It does not prohibit persons under 21 (also called youth or minors) from drinking. The term "public possession" is strictly defined and does not apply to possession for the following:

> An established religious purpose, when accompanied by a parent, spouse or legal guardian age 21 or older
> Medical purposes when prescribed or administered by a licensed physician, pharmacist, dentist, nurse, hospital or medical institution
> In private clubs or establishments
> In the course of lawful employment by a duly licensed manufacturer, wholesaler or retailer.”

Many of the states that have chosen to specifically prohibit alcohol consumption by those under age 21 have a variety of exceptions. For example,

Some States allow an exception for consumption when a family member consents and/or is present. States vary widely in terms of which relatives may consent or must be present for this exception to apply and in what circumstances the exception applies. Sometimes a reference is made simply to "family" or "family member" without further elaboration.

Some States allow an exception for consumption on private property. States vary in the extent of the private property exception which may extend to all private locations, private residences only, or in the home of a parent or guardian only. In some jurisdictions, the location exception is conditional on the presence and/or consent of the parent, legal guardian, or legal-age spouse.

Some States also allow exceptions for educational purposes (e.g., students in culinary schools), religious purposes (e.g., sacramental use of alcoholic beverages), or medical purposes."

Site includes a map of the US with the states colored according to their laws. Hope this helps!!

Answer 5

Well, In Wisconsin, you can legally drink with your parents anywhere. It is not uncommon to see an 18 year old in a bar with ma and pa sittin back watching. It is totally legal.

Answer 6

No matter what everyone else is telling you cops go way back in my whole family and YOU CAN NOT drink with your parents legally under any circumstances that would be contributing to a minor and is illegal and your parents or parent will go to jail

Answer 7

No, not any more. The only exception is that it's usually legal for parents to allow their own children, in their own houses, to consume alcohol.

Answer 8

well i live in New Mexico and the drinking age is 21. sucks. but then agian i've been drinking since i was 12.

Answer 9

Your parents are allowed to give you alchol if they are with you the entire time you have it in your system. If you are over 18 and married and your husband or wife is over 21 they can give you alcohol and must be with you at all times.

As far as I know this is everywhere in the US

Answer 10

California, 15