(a)    (1)    Subject to § 1–309 of this article, and except as provided in subsection (c) of this section:

(i)    the Department has a monopoly on the sale and distribution of wine, liquor, or any other alcoholic beverage containing more than 14% of alcohol by volume in the county; and

(ii)    a license holder shall purchase all wine containing more than 14% of alcohol by volume and liquor from the Department.

(2)    A license holder may purchase beer and wine containing 14% alcohol by volume or less from a licensed wholesaler.

(b)    Except as provided in subsection (c) of this section, a license holder who purchases wine or liquor from the Department may not be charged more than 85% of the retail price or any special sale price or discount price, whichever is lower, set by the Department.

(c)    (1)    (i)    A license holder in the county may elect to purchase wine or liquor from a licensed wholesaler by providing written notice of the license holder’s intent to the Department at least 60 days before the date the purchasing activity is to start.

(ii)    The notice shall contain:

1.    the name of the license holder;

2.    the name and address of the licensed premises; and

3.    the date that the notice was sent to the Department.

(2)    A license holder that meets the requirements of this subsection may purchase wine or liquor from a licensed wholesaler in addition to or instead of the Department.

(3)    (i)    The Department shall issue a letter of confirmation to a license holder that meets the requirements of this subsection.

(ii)    The license holder shall display the letter conspicuously on the licensed premises.