Ohio bill would ban sale of powdered alcohol

Staff report

COLUMBUS

The Ohio House signed off on legislation Thursday that would ban the sale of powdered alcohol in the state.

HB 594 passed on a vote of 85-0 and heads to the Ohio Senate for further consideration.

Rep. Ronald Gerberry, D-Austintown, primary co-sponsor, said the legislation is a pre-emptive strike against the potential sale of the crystalline product, in case federal regulators approve its sale.

“It’s called ‘Palcohol,’” Gerberry said. “We will follow a number of states that have already [banned] this.”

The short bill defines “powdered or crystalline alcohol” as “a product that is manufactured in powdered or crystalline form and that contains any amount of alcohol,” according to an analysis by the state’s Legislative Service Commission.

Powdered alcohol is added to water to create an alcoholic beverage.