This post will cover what I believe will be two issues during the upcoming summer. The first is the sale and use of Palcohol, or powdered alcohol. The second is the right of states to regulate the sale and use of powered alcohol. In addition, this is a combination post; both issues will be discussed here and the manufacture and technology for the production of making powered alcohol will be covered on the Science and Technology page. But first, let’s look at where we are with the proposed product.
Within the past week the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau permitted the sale of a product called Palcohol. This is a cyclodextrin based material that contains alcohol in a dry form and, when mixed with water, provides an instant mixed drink. This has caused both proponents and opponents of alcohol use to exit the woodwork and praise or condemn Palcohol. But, some context is needed before we continue.
An entrepreneur, Mark Phillips, developed the product ostensibly for hikers and backpackers to carry on their treks into the wilds. I guess that the reasoning is that after a day of walking it would be nice to have a cocktail and relax with a drink. The proposed advantage is that a pouch of Palcohol is easier to carry and unlike bottled alcohol, would not break or be as difficult to carry. (Side note: the pouch is 6 X 4 inches, the size of a postcard). Please note that I did not call him the inventor. The technology has been around since at least 1974 which will be covered on the Science page. But, the first trend will be to argue the merits of the sale of Palcohol. It has already begun with market analysts saying that it is clever and doomsayers proclaiming that it is a dangerous product. Even senator Charles Schumer, (Democrat/NY) is calling it a problem and needs to be stopped. The pros and cons of safety, will kids be using it, can it be snorted will be on the list for the talking heads for some time to come.
The second trend will be the ongoing question of states’ rights and the banning of the sale of Palcohol. Several states have already stopped the sale of Palcohol and it is not even of store shelves yet. The constitutional right of states to regulate alcohol is based on the tenth and twenty first amendments to the constitution. But, if the federal government accepts Palcohol as safe, can the states interfere with interstate sale and transportation. And, what about the sale of Palcohol on the internet? Incidentally, The FDA has already accepted the powder contained in the mix to be GRAS, (generally recognized as safe). So, follow the bouncing ball into the world of opinion and law. It should be interesting. It seems strange that the product contains the work pal; very friendly indeed…
Within the past week the U.S. Alcohol and Tobacco Tax and Trade Bureau permitted the sale of a product called Palcohol. This is a cyclodextrin based material that contains alcohol in a dry form and, when mixed with water, provides an instant mixed drink. This has caused both proponents and opponents of alcohol use to exit the woodwork and praise or condemn Palcohol. But, some context is needed before we continue.
An entrepreneur, Mark Phillips, developed the product ostensibly for hikers and backpackers to carry on their treks into the wilds. I guess that the reasoning is that after a day of walking it would be nice to have a cocktail and relax with a drink. The proposed advantage is that a pouch of Palcohol is easier to carry and unlike bottled alcohol, would not break or be as difficult to carry. (Side note: the pouch is 6 X 4 inches, the size of a postcard). Please note that I did not call him the inventor. The technology has been around since at least 1974 which will be covered on the Science page. But, the first trend will be to argue the merits of the sale of Palcohol. It has already begun with market analysts saying that it is clever and doomsayers proclaiming that it is a dangerous product. Even senator Charles Schumer, (Democrat/NY) is calling it a problem and needs to be stopped. The pros and cons of safety, will kids be using it, can it be snorted will be on the list for the talking heads for some time to come.
The second trend will be the ongoing question of states’ rights and the banning of the sale of Palcohol. Several states have already stopped the sale of Palcohol and it is not even of store shelves yet. The constitutional right of states to regulate alcohol is based on the tenth and twenty first amendments to the constitution. But, if the federal government accepts Palcohol as safe, can the states interfere with interstate sale and transportation. And, what about the sale of Palcohol on the internet? Incidentally, The FDA has already accepted the powder contained in the mix to be GRAS, (generally recognized as safe). So, follow the bouncing ball into the world of opinion and law. It should be interesting. It seems strange that the product contains the work pal; very friendly indeed…
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