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We covered the story about powdered alcohol when it was first announced, but it ran into problems. It was re-announced in mid March. Rachel Abrams reports at the NYT that six states have passed legislation to ban Palcohol, a freeze-dried, powdered alcohol developed by Mark Phillips who he says was inspired by a love of hiking but a distaste for carrying bottles of adult beverages uphill. "When I hike, kayak, backpack or whatever, I like to have a drink when I reach my destination. And carrying liquid alcohol and mixers to make a margarita for instance was totally impractical," says Phillips, who hopes to have Palcohol on store shelves by the summer. One packet of Palcohol equals one shot with each packet weighing 1 ounce and turning into liquid when mixed with 6 ounces of water. Phillips has vigorously defended his product, called Palcohol, saying it is no more dangerous than the liquid version sold in liquor stores and plans to release five flavors: vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, powderita (which is like a margarita) and lemon drop.
Critics are concerned people may try to snort the powder or mix it with alcohol to make it even stronger or spike a drink. "It's very easy to put a couple packets into a glass and have super-concentrated alcohol," says Frank Lovecchio. Amy George, a spokeswoman for Mothers Against Drunk Driving, said MADD did not typically take a stand on the dangers of specific alcohol products, but MADD is concerned about the colorful or playful packaging of such products that can sometimes appeal to children. Phillips dismisses concerns saying that they don't make sense if you think it through. "People unfortunately use alcohol irresponsibly. But I don't see any movement to ban liquid alcohol. You don't ban something because a few irresponsible people use it improperly," says Phillips. "They can snort black pepper. Do you ban black pepper?"
(Score: 5, Informative) by tynin on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:04AM
I read the whole article but it didn't mention which States are banning it. Went off to search other articles and I'm finding mixxed answers.
http://rt.com/usa/240629-palcohol-approval-riles-lawmakers/ [rt.com]
says Alaska, Colorado, Louisiana, Michigan, Minnesota, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, South Carolina and Vermont have already banned powdered alcohol or have pending legislation that would do so.
https://ncadd.org/in-the-news/1381-more-states-considering-ban-on-powdered-alcohol [ncadd.org]
says Alaska, Delaware, Louisiana, South Carolina and Vermont already have banned powdered alcohol, also known as "Palcohol." Minnesota, Ohio, New York and Colorado also are considering bans.
That said, I'm looking forward to getting some for hiking purposes. Water already weighs enough, but hiking in a heavy glass bottle ends up getting drank in the first few nights just so you don't have to lug the bottle around.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:17AM
Do you always use products exactly as advertised? Do you read the label and serve only the amount listed as one serving? Would you snort if the marketing material suggested you could snort it?
(Score: 2) by tynin on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:27AM
Do you routinely non sequitur?
(Score: 1) by basicbasicbasic on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:50AM
You already don't have to carry heavy glass bottles, though - you can decant the liquid in to a plastic bottle. That goes for foods in glass jars, too. And things like cereals can go in a sandwich bag / ziplock bag to save space.
And I don't know why he says carrying liquid alcohol and mixers is "totally impractical". What is difficult about carrying two liquids and then mixing them? I do it with vodka & lemon cordial. If you know there's going to be fresh water where you're going it saves kilograms over carrying beer or cider. Or just take a hip flask of whiskey.
(Score: 3, Informative) by tynin on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:55AM
True. However the reduction in water weight alone would be worth it. 1oz of powder saves you from carrying 6oz of liquids. Bring a water filter with you and you are set.
(Score: 1) by basicbasicbasic on Sunday April 05 2015, @10:59AM
Or you could carry 1g of a different powder that would weigh even less, get you even higher, and wouldn't require water.
(Score: 2) by tynin on Sunday April 05 2015, @11:03AM
Ha! I like the cut of your jib!
(Score: 1) by yarp on Sunday April 05 2015, @11:48AM
You mean black pepper, right?
(Score: 3, Informative) by mhajicek on Sunday April 05 2015, @04:12PM
Nutmeg.
The spacelike surfaces of time foliations can have a cusp at the surface of discontinuity. - P. Hajicek
(Score: 2) by captain normal on Monday April 06 2015, @01:57AM
One oz of powder or one oz of 150 proof rum or vodka? Sounds about the same to me. A good stainless steel hip flask is not expensive and is light in weight. Assuming one is hiking and camping, a single shot after hiking most of the day and then setting camp is plenty for a buzz.
Everyone is entitled to his own opinion, but not to his own facts"- --Daniel Patrick Moynihan--
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Monday April 06 2015, @04:48PM
Unless of course one is hiking in the desert. Then you'd better have some powdered water.
(Score: 2) by Arik on Sunday April 05 2015, @02:04PM
FFS go buy yourself a bota bag and be happy.
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