This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2015, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
Utah lawmakers on Thursday banned the sale of "powdered alcohol."
The action comes just a day after federal approval for the sale of "Palcohol," which is expected to be available in stores this summer.
It is a dried form of alcohol that can be mixed with water to create liquid alcohol.
One packet of Palcohol equals one shot, according to the company's website. Each packet weighs 1 ounce and turns into liquid when mixed with 6 ounces of water.
The Senate passed HB48 on a 24-4 vote and sent it to Gov. Gary Herbert for his signature.
The manufacturer has said it plans to release five flavors: vodka, rum, cosmopolitan, powderita (similar to a margarita) and lemon drop. Palcohol creator Mark Phillips has said it was designed for such things as allowing backpackers to have a drink at the end of a long hike without carrying heavy bottles.
Supporters of the ban said the powder could be mixed in water bottles or soda cans and concealed easily at concerts and sporting events, making it difficult to keep it away from youth.
A handful of states, including South Carolina, Louisiana and Vermont, have already banned the product. Phillips has said such bans will create a black market for the product.
Lee Davidson