Log In


Reset Password
News Education Local News Nation & World New Mexico

Powdered-alcohol ban advances

Measure would temporarily restrict rising craze
Windholz

DENVER – Colorado lawmakers on Monday advanced a measure that would temporarily ban powdered alcohol in Colorado.

The bill, sponsored by Rep. JoAnn Windholz, R-Commerce City, would ban the rising alcohol craze until federal officials approve its use and the state implements rules and regulations governing the relatively unknown substance.

“The bill is not an indefinite ban on powdered alcohol; it simply puts the necessary safeguards in place,” Windholz told fellow lawmakers during a meeting of the House State, Veterans and Military Affairs Committee.

The committee passed the bill by a vote of 9-2. It now heads to the full House for debate. If the legislation passes the House, then it would still need to get through the Senate again before reaching the governor’s desk.

The product, called Palcohol, is an ounce of rum or vodka in powdered form in a plastic bag. Water is mixed with it in the bag, and each serving is said to be the equivalent of a shot of liquor.

All lawmakers on the committee agreed that the substance should be regulated before it is approved for retail at Colorado liquor stores. But at least one lawmaker argued that an outright ban is not necessary.

Rep. Stephen Humphrey, R-Severance, attempted to amend the bill to allow it to be sold at liquor stores. He called it a “free market” approach, concerned that a full ban would be an over-reach.

The amendment failed, so Humphrey voted against the measure itself, though he expressed concerns about the product.

“I do think we need to protect children,” Humphrey said in opposing the measure.

Even though the product is not currently available for sale in the United States, people are making it at home by following instructions provided in YouTube videos or ordering it online.

Videos of teenagers snorting the product and sprinkling it on food have surfaced, adding to concerns. There also have been reports of students using it at school.

Restaurant and entertainment-venue owners also are concerned that the product is easily disguised, making it simple to sneak into concerts, sporting events, bars, restaurants and clubs.

“I’m very concerned about the ease in which a patron can bring a pouch of powdered alcohol into my restaurant or into my nightclub,” said Karen Kristopeit Parker, co-owner of The Fresh Fish Co. and a nightclub owner.

“Once they get it into my nightclub, or a restaurant, they could put it into a glass of water, they could put it into a soda,” she continued. “Then they could become intoxicated, and I would not even have served them; yet, I need to take responsibility for the service of alcohol.”

pmarcus@durangoherald.com



Reader Comments