Assistant Majority Whip Jim Buchy (R-Greenville) and State Rep. Ronald V. Gerberry (D-Austintown) have introduced legislation — House bill 594 — to prohibit the sale of powdered or crystalline alcohol in Ohio. Also known as Palcohol, the product is freeze-dried alcohol in powdered form that can be mixed with water to make a cocktail.“The potential for abuse of this product far outweighs any value it may have in the marketplace,” said Rep. Gerberry. “Because the product is so small in size and weight, it could be easily concealed at school or other events where alcohol is prohibited. Palcohol could also be sprinkled into someone’s food or drink without their knowledge, or snorted through the nose to get an intense high. Powdered alcohol should not be on our store shelves, and I trust our colleagues will join us to address these concerns.”
Earlier this year, the US Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved Palcohol, but quickly rescinded its stance saying the approval had been made in error. After changing some packaging and label details, Palcohol is again seeking approval from the federal agency.
“The public health risk of powdered alcohol is too great for our state to ignore,” said Rep. Buchy. “We have to do our part to in putting forth reasonable laws that protect our children and prevent the availability of drug forms that have a higher potential for abuse.”
Alaska and South Carolina have already banned the sale of powdered alcohol. New York, Vermont and Minnesota have pending legislation to do the same.
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There is more on this story in today's Cincinnati Enquirer. And for the opposing view, you can watch the inventor of Palcohol make an instant cosmopolitan (garnished with lime wedge) and defend his product in this YouTube video.