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State-by-State DRINKING LAWS

All states ban selling alcohol to minors, and nearly all prohibit possession, but many do not expressly bar minors from consuming it.

Alabama Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Alaska Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Arizona Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol Arkansas Under 21 may consume alcohol. California Under 21 may consume alcohol. Colorado Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Connecticut Under 21 may consume alcohol. D.C. Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Delaware Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Florida Under 21 may consume alcohol. Georgia Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Hawaii Under 21 may consume alcohol. Idaho Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Indiana Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Illinois Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Iowa Under 21 may consume alcohol. Kansas Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Kentucky Under 21 may consume alcohol. Louisiana Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married OR if spouse or guardian is present. Maine Under 21 may consume alcohol. Maryland Under 21 may consume alcohol. Massachusetts Under 21 may consume alcohol. Michigan Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Minnesota Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Mississippi Under 21 may consume alcohol. Missouri Under 21 may consume alcohol in parents’ or guardian’s residence if parent or guardian is home. Montana Under 21 may consume alcohol if parent or guardian is present. Nebraska Under 21 may consume alcohol in parents’ or guardian’s residence if parent or guardian is home. Nevada Under 21 may consume alcohol. New Jersey Under 21 may consume alcohol in parents’ or guardian’s residence if parent or guardian is home. New Hampshire Under 21 may consume alcohol. New Mexico Under 21 may consume alcohol. New York Under 21 may consume alcohol. North Carolina Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. North Dakota Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Ohio Under 21 may consume alcohol if parent or guardian is present. Oklahoma Under 21 may consume alcohol. Oregon Under 21 may consume alcohol only if married AND if spouse or guardian is present. Pennsylvania Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Rhode Island Under 21 may consume alcohol. South Carolina Under 21 may consume alcohol. South Dakota Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Tennessee Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Texas Under 21 may consume alcohol if parent or guardian is present. Utah Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Vermont Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Virginia Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Washington Under 21 may consume alcohol if parent or guardian is present. West Virginia Under 21 may not possess or consume alcohol. Wisconsin Under 21 may consume alcohol if parent or guardian is present. Wyoming Under 21 may consume alcohol.

MSNBC.com research/Alex Johnson. Sources: National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism; Alcohol Policy Information System; State University of New York-Potsdam.

URL: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/20249460/