Senate bans sale and use of powdered alcohol in SC

COLUMBIA — The South Carolina Senate passed a ban on powdered alcohol Wednesday, agreeing that the substance is just too dangerous even after the federal government approved selling it.

Senators voted 37-4 to give key approval to the bill after narrowly rejecting an amendment that would allow the state to sell and regulate powered alcohol next year after federal regulations on it are finalized. A brand of powdered alcohol called Palcohol was approved for sale by the federal Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau earlier this week.

The bill faces one more procedural vote before it is sent to the House.

About half the states in the U.S. are currently considering similar bans.

Opponents of the bill said it made no sense for South Carolina to sell alcohol in liquid form, but not in powdered form.

Bill sponsor Larry Martin said the powdered alcohol is more dangerous because it has no taste or odor, can be put in anything from other drinks to food and would be easier to hide than a bottle or flask of booze. He warned people could even snort it if they wanted to.

If the ban had failed, powered alcohol would be "the hottest stuff on high school campuses," said Martin, R-Pickens. "I predict it would be the hottest stuff on a middle school campus."

On its website, Palcohol said it hopes to start selling its product in the summer. The founder of the company said he created powered alcohol so he could enjoy an adult beverage after hiking or other activities without having to lug around a big bottle.

Senators seemed to be swayed by Martin's argument that if powdered alcohol doesn't cause problems in states where it was legal, then lawmakers can always change their minds.

"Let's see how this stuff shakes out," Martin said. "If it is such a good thing, we can come back and debate it."

RELATED

SC medical marijuana panel to meet