It just became legal and already states are banning it – so is it innocent like adult Kool-aid or is powdered alcohol dangerous? 
What is Powdered Alcohol or Palcohol?
Powdered alcohol is just that: alcohol that has been made into a powder. You mix it with water – and you have yourself a cocktail. “Palcohol,” as it was coined by creator Mark Philips, came to be after Philips wanted a relaxing drink in the outdoors. It was designed for the outdoorsy-type who after bike riding, hiking or kayaking wanted to enjoy a cocktail without having to lug an extra jug other than their water bottle. It’s the new “portable” form of alcohol. And it comes in five flavors: Cosmopolitan, a margarita mix called “powderita”, vodka, rum, and lemon drop.
Is Palcohol safe?
When mixed with 6 oz of water, powdered alcohol has about the same alcohol content as a standard mix drink. But according to the Scientific American health experts are concerned that Palcohol would allow people, especially teens and those with a history of alcohol abuse, to hide alcohol consumption or consume alcohol in places where it is prohibited. There are also concerns, as with most powdered forms, that it could be snorted (although the Palcohol website claims that it would take an hour to snort enough to equal one shot of vodka, and even then, it would burn). The creator of Palcohol has also said that it takes long enough to dissolve that spiking a drink would be difficult. But many are still concerned that it will be mixed with other drugs to snort or higher than safe doses could be consumed. An article by pop culture site Gawker called Palcohol “the world’s sneakiest and most efficient way to get drunk” – which confirms the fears of some health experts.
It is legal?
On Tuesday, March 17, 2015, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the sale of Palcohol. However, According to the NCSL website states like Louisiana, South Carolina, Vermont and Massachusetts already have legislation that prohibits the sale of powdered alcohol. And others are in the process of banning it: New York, Colorado and Rhode Island. Will Georgia be next?
Alcohol costs can really drive up the tab at a restaurant or hit your wallet hard at a sports game. Some business and restaurant owners are concerned as to how powdered alcohol will affect sales. Ordering a glass of water and adding your own alcohol on the side would be much cheaper for customers and difficult for owners to regulate.
Let us know what your thoughts are on Palcohol, or if you know someone who you think might be abusing powdered alcohol, give us a call to help you get the situation under control.
