The Oregon legislature is considering following the lead of several other states by banning the retail sale of "granulated alcohol." The bill was introduced after the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau approved the sale of "Palcohol" — a powdered alcohol product developed by Arizona-based company Lipsmark LLC.
Palcohol's creator, Mark Phillips, says the idea for the product came from the desire for a lighter-weight form of alcohol for outdoor recreation pursuits. But he says it also could be used as a lightweight fuel source or an antiseptic by organizations that work in remote areas. Lawmakers have raised concerns that the product could be too easy for underage kids hide and snort, though the main organized effort behind the bill is from the Oregon Beer and Wine Distributors Association.
This Wired reporter set out to test some of the arguments against powdered alcohol. Be advised: it has profanity and plenty of things no one would recommend you try at home.
Copyright 2015 Oregon Public Broadcasting
