Judge Burrell Carter, a temporary appointee to the court when the last ruling was made, was not on the court this time, and the court's newest justice, Joe Bleich, voted with the new majority. Chief Justice Pascal F. Calogero switched sides.

Faced with the loss of Federal highway money under the drinking age act, the Louisiana Legislature reluctantly passed a law in the 1980's that made it illegal for people ages 18 through 20 to buy alcohol. But that law did not make sales to people of those ages illegal, a loophole that the police often said made enforcement difficult.

In 1995, under heavy pressure from advocacy groups, legislators outlawed the sale of alcohol to people of those ages. Court challenges of that law eventually resulted in the March ruling.

Exceptions to the law allow possession of alcoholic beverages for religious purposes, at nonprofit events, for those accompanied by a parents, for medical purposes and in private residences.

Today's decision also effectively cancels a planned statewide vote on the issue. The Legislature recently voted to let people vote on a constitutional amendment to raise the drinking age, but lawmakers included a provision that would cancel the vote if the Supreme Court reversed its March decision.