Washington, D.C., Moves To Ban Powdered Alcohol

by Steve Birr

Lawmakers in Washington, D.C., will hear testimony on powdered alcohol that can be added to drinks and will likely move to ban it in the city Monday.

Palcohol is already banned in more than half of the states due to fears over the product’s potential dangers. Critics argue it could be easily slipped into a minor’s beverage, inconspicuously added to a drink that is already high in alcohol content or even snorted. Palcohol claims their product is safe if used responsibly and is marketed primarily to hikers who do not want to lug around a bottle, reports NBC Washington.

Officials in Californian are the latest to ban the powdered substance, due to similar fears over safety and the influence it would have on the state’s youth.

“Banning powdered alcohol in California sends the right message to youth and young adults about responsible drinking,” Sen. Bob Huff told the Orange County Breeze. “Youth binge drinking and alcohol related deaths are already at epidemic levels in California. We didn’t need to exacerbate this problem by allowing the sale of freeze-dried alcohol.”

The D.C. Council will hold an initial hearing on the issue Monday. The bill was originally introduced to the D.C. Council last year and if it does not pass by the end of the year the proposed ban will expire.

The D.C. Council moved against tobacco products last week, approving the initial reading of a bill raising the legal age to purchase tobacco to 21. The Council also unanimously agreed to increased restrictions on the use of electronic cigarettes throughout the District.

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