Mississippi

Mississippi was a dry state long before National Prohibition began in 1920. And it was also the first state to ratify National Prohibition. Upon Repeal in 1933, it kept its own state-wide prohibition. Later, it “reaffirmed prohibition.” Thus Mississippi has a very long and strong temperance tradition. 

But local governments do have local option. That is, they can vote to permit alcohol sales within their borders. But Mississippi is a dry, or at least “moist” state to this day.

Yet small changes have been made. For example, it was illegal to possess any alcohol beverage in Mississippi except in a wet county. That included those simply traveling through the state without stopping. But that changed in 2020 after a law making such possession legal in dry counties.

Mississippi also has a government alcohol monopoly for the sale of wine over 14% alcohol and also of spirits. Spirits are rum, vodka, gin, bourbon, scotch, tequila, etc. The monopolies only exist in wet areas. They severely restrict both the selection of product and service. Of course, that’s the goal of neo-prohibitionists.

Resources: Mississippi is a Dry State

Web Pages

• • Mississippi Alcohol Laws.
  • Mississippi Alcoholic Beverage Control Board.
  • Avoid a DUI in Mississippi (5 Things You Need to Know about DUI).
  • Dry Counties in the U.S. Today.
  • Wacky Alcohol Laws that Will Surprise You.
  • Temperance Movement Today in the U.S.
  • Fun Prohibition Trivia,