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Powdered Alcohol Update - October

an outline of california with a BANNED stamp on itThe biggest shoe of all has dropped on the market for powdered alcohol. On September 26, 2016, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law a bill prohibiting the sale, manufacturing, and possession of powdered alcohol in the state of California. California joins 33 other states in banning the substance. One other state—Wisconsin—is currently considering a ban, as is the District of Columbia.

Although relatively slow to enact legislation against "palcohol", California represents a major victory for opponents of the easy to hide, hard to monitor substance. As the most populous state in the country, California is also the largest alcohol market. Strong legislation in the state both prevents harm to the public and directly impacts palcohol manufacturers’ revenue, limiting their war chests in states that have yet to enact permanent restrictions.

Still, almost a third of the country either allows regulated powdered alcohol sales (three states), or has yet to enact any legislation regarding the substance (12 states). "We call on all states to move quickly and decisively to make sure powdered alcohol stays off shelves," said Alcohol Justice Executive Director/CEO Bruce Lee Livingston. "It's a stupid product that's hard to monitor and plays directly to an underage audience. Get it off the market."

The states that have yet to permanently ban palcohol are: Arizona, Arkansas, Colorado, Delaware, Florda, Iowa, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Texas, Wisconsin, Wymoing, as well as the District of Columbia. If you live in these states, TAKE ACTION now to tell your local regulators and legislators to ban powdered alcohol.

 

Ban Powdered Alcohol update: SUCCESS!! EL TRIUNFO!!

palcohol packets with a red ban symbol over themThanks to your advocacy, California is now free from the public health and safety threats of powdered alcohol. On September 26, 2016, Governor Brown signed both AB 1554 (Irwin) and SB 819 (Huff) to prohibit the possession, purchase, sale, offer for sale, distribution, manufacture, or use of powdered alcohol in California and would make the violation of those provisions punishable with a fine.

With his signatures California became the 34th state to ban the products because there is no good reason to allow another dangerous alcohol product to be sold, especially one that will be so easily abused by underage drinkers.

Thank you for joining with Alcohol Justice, the California Alcohol Policy Alliance, the Health Officers Association of California, California Craft Brewers Association, 48 other organizations, and many, many individuals in encouraging the legislature to pass these bills, and the Governor to sign them.

 thank yous in many languages

Donate now buttonPlease make a contribution to Alcohol Justice today to help us continue to promote evidence-based public health policies and organize campaigns with diverse communities and youth against the alcohol industry's harmful practices.

 


 

CA UPDATE: Bills Banning Powdered Alcohol Reach Governor's Desk

August 29, 2016

NO palchol



Alcohol Justice is pleased to report that the California State Legislature has unanimously passed both SB 819 (Huff, R-San Dimas), and AB 1554 (Irwin, D-Thousand Oaks). The bills were sent to Governor Brown's desk on August 26th for his signature. The legislation outlaws the manufacturing, distribution, sale, or use of powdered alcohol in California. The state will be joining 33 other U.S. states that have enacted similar bans or restrictions. Governor Brown has 30 days to sign this important legislation into law.

"Powdered alcohol" refers to alcohol prepared or sold in a powdered or crystalline form. When mixed with water or soda, it reconstitutes as an alcohol beverage. Such easy access is why Senator Chuck Schumer (D-New York) who stated the product could become "the Kool-Aid of teenage binge drinking" that leads "to increased hospitalizations and deaths" by underage drinkers.

NOW is the time to tell Governor Brown to sign this legislation banning powdered alcohol in California.

TAKE ACTION!

Governor Brown bill





California Powdered Alcohol Bills Update

June 10, 2016

Phillips SB819 AssmbGO
Disappointed Palcohol promoter Mark Phillips was sent packing back to Arizona after a chilly Capitol reception in Sacramento on Wednesday June 8, 2016. He provided the lone voice of opposition at the Assembly GO Committee hearing on SB 819 (Huff, R-Diamond Bar), to ban powdered alcohol in California. The committee unanimously passed the bill, but not before Phillips was admonished by members for being in denial of the fact that his product was dangerous and youth-attractive. According to Phillips, everyone in the hearing room, as well as all the legislators in the 32 other states that have already banned the product were ill advised and wrong.

SB 819 has one more Assembly committee vote and a floor vote before being sent to governor for his signature. The bill has already passed through the Senate with absolutely no opposition.

AB 1554, a companion measure in the Assembly authored by Assemblymember Jacquie Irwin (D-Thousand Oaks) has passed through the Assembly without opposition and will be heard in the Senate GO Committee Tuesday (6/14). Both SB 819 and AB 1554 are supported by an impressive group of public health and safety advocates from across the state.

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