‘Palcohol’; new form of alcohol, sparks debate

If you haven’t heard of “Palcohol,” you’re not alone. The product hasn’t even hit the shelves, but, it’s already gaining national attention.

It’s a new powder form of alcohol, and Colorado is the latest state considering a ban.

“We’ve actually had some customers ask about it, but if it’s not safe it’s nothing we want to do,” said Jack Backman, owner of Cheers Liquor Mart in Colorado Springs.

“Palcohol” is still in the works. It’s stayed under the radar, until now.

Colorado Republican Rep. Joann Windholz is now sponsoring a bill to ban it from Colorado.

She shares the same concerns as Colorado Springs Police.

“With a powered alcohol it can be readily concealed. It could go into sporting events, it could go into airports, consumed on air planes,” said Lt. Catherine Bucley with Colorado Springs Police.

But in a video on Palcohol.com, the creator, Mark Phillips defends the product.

He says, “You’re not going to chose alcohol, the package is too big!”

He also addresses the concern of teens possibly snorting the powder.

In the YouTube video, he says, “It would take one hour for someone to snort this much powder, why would anyone spend an hour of pain and misery snorting all of this powder to get one drink in their system?”

“I know the guys promoting it say it doesn’t hurt, but how do you know until it starts happening. These kids find ways to do everything,” said Backman.

And although he admits it could be good for business, he’s not completely sold.

“If we have a big demand for it and the state approves, I’d probably have to sell it, even though I don’t think it’s the right thing to do,” said Backman

The state liquor board will be discussing the new product at its meeting Wednesday.