Senate votes to ban powdered alcohol for 2 years

Powdered alcohol would be banned in Florida for two years under a bill passed by the Senate.

The Senate passed the bill Thursday on a 35-2 vote. It would make it illegal to sell, possess or use powdered alcohol.

Powdered alcohol was given federal approval last month but has yet to hit stores. Still, at least several states have banned the product or are considering bans. Powdered alcohol can be mixed with water to create cocktails.

Democratic Sen. Gwen Margolis said her bill (SB 998) would ban the substance for only two years so lawmakers can take time to see whether problems arise with the product.

People who support a ban argue that it makes alcohol easier to conceal and that it could be abused by minors.

Republished with permission of The Associated Press