Controversial Powdered Alcohol Gets Government Approval

BOSTON (CBS) - It's known as Palcohol and when mixed with water, it creates an instant cocktail. And even though the federal government now says it's OK to sell and use, a push for a nationwide ban is now underway.

Palcohol comes in a pouch and can be turned into a cocktail just by adding water. There are four different varieties: rum, vodka, cosmopolitan and "powderita."

Palcohol's creator, Mark Phillips, says it will be particularly appealing to the outdoorsman.

"If they're an outdoor enthusiast and they're going hiking, backpacking, biking, kayaking, boating - anywhere where weight is an issue, having powdered alcohol is a lot lighter than liquid alcohol," he said.

But experts are concerned that the portability of this product makes it dangerous, especially for kids.

"It would be easier for individuals to bring powdered alcohol into venues, music concerts, sporting events without having to pay the higher prices of the beverages at the locations," said Dr. Joji Suzuki, an addiction psychiatrist at Brigham and Women's Hospital. "So this presumably would make it easier for minors to consume alcohol at these kinds of venues."

Another worry is that people will find other creative ways to consume it.

"Drinking a beer takes some effort," Suzuki said. "With powder, you can snort a whole bunch very, very quickly."

New York Senator Chuck Schumer agrees and wants to make it a crime to make, sell, distribute or possess Palcohol.

"Some of the companies that have advertised this," said Senator Schumer, "Have advertised it directly to kids, have advertised it in ways that don't have any intent other than to have people ingest a whole lot of alcohol quickly."

Beverage alcohol cannot be sold to minors but this powdered form may not fall into the same category so it's not clear if minors would be able to buy it.

More than a dozen states have banned it or are considering bans.

The creator expects approval for a fifth flavor, lemon drop, next week and hopes to start selling packets on store shelves this summer.

The Massachusetts Alcoholic Beverages Control Commission issued an advisory Thursday afternoon, saying that Massachusetts Law prohibits the importation, sale, and manufacturing of powdered alcohol.