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Powdered Alcohol Commentary in JAMA

July 9, 2015

A recent commentary on powdered alcohol in the Journal of the American Medical Association (JAMA) highlights the rising challenges and need for regulation of powdered alcohol.

In March 2015, the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau (TTB) approved powdered alcohol for sale. The powdered substance is anticipated to hit the shelves this year. As previous AJ posts outline, products like Palcohol are a recipe for alcohol-related harm and pose multiple public health concerns, especially for youth. 

As of June 2015, 22 states have passed powdered alcohol bans : Alabama, Alaska, Connecticut, Georgia, Kansas, Indiana, Louisiana, Maine, Nebraska, Nevada, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia and Washington. Maryland and Minnesota have passed temporary one-year bans. Colorado, Delaware, Michigan, and New Mexico included powdered alcohol in their statutory definitions of alcohol so that the product can be regulated under their existing alcohol statutes.

U.S. Senator Chuck Schumer (D-NY) continues his call for federal legislation to stop powdered alcohol products including Palcohol. Lipsmark, the producer of Palcohol, immediately hired DC lobbyists who filed registration forms after Schumer announced his powdered alcohol amendment.

A recent poll revealed that 90% of adults are concerned about powdered alcohol and underage youth.

See and sign the Alcohol Justice call for legislation to ban powdered alcohol in California. Take action on the federal level here.