Palcohol, a powdered alcohol used to make drinks, has been approved for sale by the Alcohol and Tobacco and Trade Bureau. Palcohol is a dried form of alcohol that can be mixed with water to create liquid alcohol.
State Representative Patricia Pike
Two state lawmakers want to prohibit its use before it hits shelves in Missouri.
The Phoenix-based company that created Palcohol plans to release flavors such as vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, and “powderita” by this summer. A lemon drop flavor is still in the works.
A proposed ban is the first bill offered by freshman representative, Patricia Pike (R-Adrian).
“I think it’s a potential problem we have an opportunity to look into,” said Pike. “This is an opportunity for our Missouri legislature to review this issue before it comes on the market in the state.”
Representative Jim Neely (R-Cameron) is also concerned and has also filed a proposed ban.
“I need to learn more about it, but with the deadline for filing House bills, I wanted to at least get something out, so that we can have further discussion,” said Neely.
Neely is a Physician in Emergency Medicine and told Missourinet he is afraid people will snort the product or mix it with other drugs. Neely said it’s an accident waiting to happen.
State Representative Jim Neely
“I can just see that being put out in stores and people could inhale it,” said Neely. “As a person who has worked many emergency rooms over the years, I could see this being a problem.”
Pike is a former high school teacher and counselor worried about the safety of Missouri children.
“A big key issue for teens I believe is, and it’s probably something they are not always aware of, how easy it would be to mix with other forms of powdered drugs making it very hazardous,” said Pike.
Pike said Palcohol has the potential to be easily accessible and abused by minors.
“There are many instances for teens where parents are working or their in social situations where it would be very difficult to monitor it,” said Pike. “It’s easy to hide and could be consumed in places where people aren’t traditionally allowed to have alcohol, there is the issue of transporting it into schools.”
The company claims Palcohol was created for hikers and the pouch shape product was designed for the convenience of travelers.
