AUGUSTA, Maine — A ban on powdered alcohol in Maine appears headed to enactment following a strong vote in favor of it Monday in the Senate.
The Senate voted 29-4 for legislation to enact the ban, which follows a lopsided 138-1 vote in the House last week.
The measure, sponsored by Rep. Mick Devin, D-Newcastle, would make the possession, use, sale or furnishing of powdered alcohol — called “palcohol” — a civil violation for which repeat offenders would be charged with a Class E misdemeanor.
Devin and others sponsored the bill because of concerns about powdered alcohol abuse by minors and worries that it would be easy to smuggle into public events.
The debate over powdered alcohol ignited recently when the federal government approved it for sale to the general public. It is being marketed to sports enthusiasts and travelers who want to enjoy a drink but can’t or don’t want to carry heavy bottles of liquid alcohol to do so.
Lawmakers in 37 states are considering moves to ban the product. In Maine, the measure faces more procedural votes before being sent to Gov. Paul LePage for consideration.
