Updates:

• Trade official surprised Michigan is banning alcoholic energy drinks instead of tripling tax 'to bail themselves out'

• Does Michigan go to far when it bans alcoholic energy drinks? (poll)

Michigan's Liquor Control Commission this morning announced a statewide ban on stimulant-laced alcoholic energy drinks.

The order comes after reports of young people becoming sick -- some nearly dying -- after consuming alcoholic drinks laced with caffeine and supplemented by other stimulants.

The ban covers 55 products from four manufacturers currently approved for sale in the state. Manufacturers will have 30 days to pull the products from the market.

Stores and distributors for the products may continue to sell through existing inventory during the phase-out period.

The banned products contain guarana, wormwood oil and taurine infused into alcoholic drinks already infused with caffeine.

Last month, nine Central Washington University students were taken to the hospital after they became sick from drinking the alcoholic energy drink "Four Loko." That drink, which is comparable to consuming five to six cans of beer, is referred to as "black-out in a can" or "liquid cocaine."

The caffeine in the drink suspends the effects of alcohol, allowing people to continue drinking long after they normally would have stopped consuming non-caffeinated alcohol, health experts have said.

The LCC was expected to finalize the order later this morning, when it also will release a list of the 55 products currently on store shelves that will be subject to the ban, said Andrea Miller.

"The popularity of the energy drinks is increasing among college students and underage drinkers," she said. "Since alcohol has been recognized as the No. 1 drug problem among youth, they feel that the safety of these intentionally infused stimulants at uncontrolled levels, mixed in the the alcohol has not been proven safe by the FDA.

"(The LCC) feels this was necessary to protect the health safety and welfare of Michigan citizens," she said.

In September the LCC had considered changing labeling requirements for the beverages, but subsequent research showed a ban was the best move, Miller said.

Press reporter Shandra Martinez contributed to this story.

E-mail Chris Knape: cknape@grpress.com and follow him on Twitter at twitter.com/Kcorner