Why America Isn’t Free

The United States is one of only three developed countries in the world with a nationwide drinking age over 18. The other two countries are Iceland and Japan, which both have a drinking age of 20.

The problem, of course, is that the age of majority—when a minor assumes the legal rights and responsibilities of an adult—is 18 in most states, 19 in two states (Alabama and Nebraska), and 21 in just two states (Colorado and Mississippi). There are generally exceptions for children who are married...