Powdered alcohol is a controversial new product on the market that makes alcohol consumption more convenient, eliminating issues such as hauling heavy bottles of booze. The Federal government's Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) recently approved a powdered alcohol product called Palcohol, which is a blend of Kool-Aid and alcoholic drinks. But state regulations must OK it.
Some online buzz claimed that the powdered booze product had been proved last spring. However, a TTB representative explained that the approvals had been issued "in error."
Now the approval is officially verified that Palcohol will release four varieties of its powdered alcohol. They include: rum, vodka, margarita, and cosmopolitan, according to People. A lemon drop flavor is still in the works.
Lipsmark is the manufacturer of Palcalhol. It hopes to get its products on store shelves by summertime, according to CNN.
The company's website reveals that it will be available for sale "anywhere" that liquor can be sold legally. Buyers must be of legal drinking age.
However, it could be challenging for Palcohol to get past individual states' regulations. It is already prohibited by Alaska, and six other states have passed regulations against the powdered alcohol.
Senator Charles Schumer (New York) introduced a bill on Thursday against powdered alcohol. He is opposed to the "obviously dangerous" product, which he believes should be illegal.
Some concerns among particular states are that youngsters will spike non-alcoholic drinks, or even snort it like cocaine. However, Tom Hogue, a spokesperson for TTB, noted that a product's potential for being abused does not justify the TTB rejecting it.
Interestingly, some removed statements on Lipsmark's website suggested bringing Palcohol illegally to events at stadiums, to avoid "overpriced" drinks; and shared that snorting the powdered alcohol would get someone inebriated "almost instantly."
Mark Philips, the creator of Palcohol, referred to the website's content as "edgy." Lipsmark plans to explain to state legislators why a ban of their products is the "wrong action."
Phillips is striving to solve his brand's Public Relations issue. He argues that Palcohol is ideal for hiking and backpacking, and can be drunk directly from its packaging. Will state lawyers buy it?