Massachusetts § 29 - Use and sale of alcoholic beverages by registered pharmacists; prescriptions; prescription books; sales in original sealed packages
Full text of Massachusetts Massachusetts General Laws § 29 — Use and sale of alcoholic beverages by registered pharmacists; prescriptions; prescription books; sales in original sealed packages, with citation guidance and answers to common questions.
§ 29. Use and sale of alcoholic beverages by registered pharmacists; prescriptions; prescription books; sales in original sealed packages
Section 29. A registered pharmacist in a city or town who holds a certificate of fitness under the following section, having complied with all provisions of law relative to the practice of pharmacy, irrespective of the vote of the city or town under section eleven, may use alcohol for the manufacture of United States pharmacopoeia or national formulary preparations and all medicinal preparations unfit for beverage purposes, and may sell alcohol, and, upon the prescription of a registered physician, (1) wines, (2) malt beverages, and (3) other alcoholic beverages. Each of the three foregoing classes shall be sold only on separate prescriptions and in quantity not exceeding one gallon of wines, one gallon of malt beverages and one quart of other alcoholic beverages. Every such prescription shall be dated and signed by the physician and shall contain the name of the person prescribed for.
All such prescriptions shall be retained and kept on file in a separate book by the pharmacist selling the same and shall not be refilled. Such prescription book shall be open at all times to inspection of the board of registration in pharmacy, licensing authorities and their agents and police officers. Nothing in this chapter shall disqualify a registered pharmacist from being licensed under section fifteen, provided that he sells no cooked food to be consumed on the premises; but a license issued to a registered pharmacist under said section shall be included in computing the number of licenses that may be granted in any city or town as provided in section seventeen.
Sales of alcoholic beverages hereunder shall be made only in the original sealed packages, and such beverages shall not be permitted to be drunk on the premises.
Source: official Massachusetts text · Last verified 2026-08-27
Frequently Asked Questions About Massachusetts § 29
What does Massachusetts General Laws § 29 cover?
Section 29 ("Use and sale of alcoholic beverages by registered pharmacists; prescriptions; prescription books; sales in original sealed packages") is part of the Massachusetts General Laws, the codified statutory law of Massachusetts. It sets out the legal rule or procedure described in the text above. Statutes are amended regularly, so always verify against the official source.
How do I cite Massachusetts § 29?
A common citation format is "Massachusetts General Laws § 29" (Massachusetts). Legal writing may require the code abbreviation, section number, and year or edition. Match the style required by your court, professor, or publisher.
Is this the official text of Massachusetts law?
No. This page is for research and education and may not include the most recent amendments. For official current law, check the Massachusetts official source linked on this page or consult a licensed Massachusetts attorney.
How does Massachusetts § 29 apply to my situation?
Statutes are interpreted in context, and application depends on your specific facts. Only a licensed attorney in Massachusetts can advise on how this section applies to you. Contact your state or local bar association for a referral.
Sources & Verification
Not legal advice. Verify against the official source and consult a licensed attorney in Massachusetts.