I must be getting old, because I have never heard of powdered alcohol, or alcohol concentrate. In fact, when I first saw this bill talking about “concentrated alcohol,” I thought they were talking about Pale Ale’s and their higher than average alcohol content, and I was prepared to do battle.
But apparently it’s a problem, as the American Medical Association, as of June 14, 2016, has called for the banning of the substance, and 36 other states have already banned it before Delaware.
This bill, HB372, defines “concentrated alcoholic beverage” as any powders, crystals, liquids or any other substances which, after being mixed with sugar, water, or any other nonalcoholic materials, ferments or otherwside becomes a wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverage. HB372 then makes it unlawful for a person to manufacture, distribute, sell, offer for sale, possess, purchase, or use a concentrated alcoholic beverage.
HB372 – BANNING POWDERED ALCOHOL
STATUS – Waiting on a hearing in the House
HISTORY – House Economic Development/Banking/Insurance/Commerce 4/12/18
SPONSORS – Paradee, Henry, Brady, J.Johnson, Wilson
YES –
NO –
NOT VOTING –
ABSENT –
And so the plague and horror that is powdered alcohol was vanquished by the heroic efforts of the general assembly. Even if no one ever heard of the stuff.
“as any powders, crystals, liquids or any other substances which, after being mixed with sugar, water, or any other nonalcoholic materials, ferments or otherwside becomes a wine, beer, or other alcoholic beverage.”
If they’re including “ferments” in that definition, wouldn’t that wind up including yeast?
Ferments is being used as a verb there and not a noun. But yeah, they are going to have to clarify that or amend it. Obviously, they are not intending to target yeast, and I can argue that yeast itself is not a concentrated alcoholic powder, but the language is unclear.