Proposed Ohio bill would ban sale of powdered alcohol and caffeine

May 27, 2015 at 12:02a.m.

COLUMBUS

A lawmaker panel has combined legislation to ban the sale of powdered caffeine and powdered alcohol in the state, setting the stage for a floor vote in the Ohio House.

The chamber’s Government Oversight and Accountability Committee amended SB 7 Tuesday to include both prohibitions, after a couple of weeks of discussion on the issue.

Rep. Ronald Gerberry of Austintown, D-59th, a primary sponsor of the powdered alcohol legislation, offered the amendment to expedite the process and position both bans for quicker passage.

Earlier this year, the House passed HB 14, which would ban the sale of powdered alcohol in the state. The chamber moved comparable legislation last session that stalled in the Senate.

Powdered alcohol is added to water to create an alcoholic beverage. HB 14 defines “powdered or crystalline alcohol” as “a product that is manufactured in powdered or crystalline form and that contains any amount of alcohol” and prohibits its sale for human consumption.

The federal government gave its approval earlier this year for the sale of powdered alcohol, and a number of states already have enacted bans to stop the products from being sold within their borders.

SB 7, meanwhile, passed the Ohio Senate last month and is being considered by the House. It would prohibit the sale of “pure caffeine” products sold in a powder, liquid or crystalline form. Those caught selling the products could face misdemeanor criminal charges.

The bill includes exceptions for pills that contain up to 250 milligrams of caffeine or coffee, tea and other products that contain caffeine combined with other ingredients.

With Tuesday’s committee action, SB 7 now includes the contents of HB 14, and Gerberry voiced confidence that the amended legislation would have enough support for final passage in the House and Senate.