Powdered Alcohol Approved Despite Opposition from Some States

Palcohol, a powdered alcohol product that can be stirred into a liquid, has been stamped with approval by the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau under the U.S. Treasury Department last week, according to ABC News.

Some states, however, have been quick to introduce legislative measures to prohibit its sale.

The product was created by Mark Phillips, who thought of powdered alcohol to bring in outdoor activities like hiking and camping but wanted to avoid the weight of heavy bottles usually used as containers of wine, beer, and spirits.

According to Palcohol's web site, it can be used by adding six ounces of liquid to create a standard mixed drink.

So far, four out of the product's available flavors -- vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, lemon drop, and "Powderita" (margarita flavor) -- have been approved, but it has yet to be known which ones.

Palcohol "will be sold anywhere where liquor can be sold," according to the website. However, buyers must be of legal drinking age.

The product will also be available not just in the U.S. but also abroad. It can be purchased online.

It will be ready for sale this summer.

However, the Utah state legislature has already adopted a bill prohibiting the product ahead of its release, RT has reported.

Moreover, New York Senator Charles "Chuck" Schumer proposed a measure that would ban powdered alcohol at the federal level.

"Underage alcohol abuse is a growing epidemic with tragic consequences, and powdered alcohol could exacerbate this," Schumer (D-N.Y.) was quoted by RT as saying in a statement introducing the "Sober Truth on Preventing Underage Drinking Reauthorization Act" (STOP) legislation.

Lipsmark, the company owning Palcohol, fired back, urging would-be patrons to ask lawmakers to stop the ban. "If you want to try Palcohol, you need to contact your legislators to tell them you don't need the government to be our nanny. We're big boys and girls and can decide for ourselves if we want to use alcohol....because that's all Palcohol is....liquid alcohol in powder form."

The firm explained: "Many states are moving to ban powdered alcohol. Why? Because the liquor industry is against it and they want to squash competition and protect their market share. The liquor companies have lots of money to lobby for what they want and we are no match for their deep pockets. But should big money be allowed to make the laws?"

Lipsmark also argued that banning the product is not based on evidence that it will be abused as it is not even on the market yet, and that prohibition will only create a black market.

The company also tried to refute misconceptions about the product:

1. People will snort it and get drunk. The company said this is impractical, noting that it takes approximately 60 minutes to snort the equivalent of one shot of vodka. Why would anyone do that when they can do a shot of liquid vodka in two seconds?

2. Powdered alcohol will make it easier to sneak into venues. A package of Palcohol is 4" x 6"....almost five times bigger than a 50ml bottle of liquid alcohol so Palcohol is much harder to conceal.

3. It will be easier to spike a drink. Not true. Palcohol does not dissolve instantly in liquid and would take over a minute of stirring to dissolve the equivalent of one shot of alcohol into a drink when one can spike a drink with liquid alcohol in about three seconds.

4. Kids will get a hold of it easier. Not true. Palcohol is sold wherever liquid alcohol is sold and the same rules apply, you must be 21 years or older to buy it.

The US Food and Drug Administration clarified on Friday that the authority to regulate alcohol is the responsibility of the Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau.