Gem State lawmakers might ban powdered alcohol

From: Food Safety News



Idaho, not a state known for using the power of government to prevent free enterprise, could become the 28th state in the country to ban powdered alcohol.

Powdered Alcohol warning posterOne of the first bills introduced into the Idaho Legislature, which convened on Jan. 11, is one recommended by the Idaho Liquor Devision to ban powdered alcohol.

One such product, sold under the brand name Palcohol was approved for sale in the United States on March 15, 2015. More than half the states have already banned it though legislation or actions by liquor control boards.

“Powdered alcohol is considered dangerous, unnecessary and prone to abuse,” said Jeff Anderson, who runs Idaho’s Liquor Division.

Mark Phillips, the Arizona entrepreneur who owns the Palcohol brand, contends powdered alcohol is safer than liquid alcohol. He’s listed reasons on his website about why he believes banning Palcohol is a bad idea.

The Idaho House Affairs Committee will likely conduct a public hearing on the proposed ban in the Gem State sometime in the next couple of weeks.

Although it was invented in the Grand Canyon State, the Arizona Legislature also wanted to ban powered alcohol. Gov. Doug Ducey used his veto pen and a promise to regulate it to keep powdered alcohol legal in the state.

The federal government’s approval of powdered alcohol sales last year set off a stampede of state legislators filing bills to ban it.

Phillips markets Palcohol as a niche product for situations when carrying the weight of liquid alcohol is not desired, saying it could be popular with hikers or kayakers.

 

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