Senate bans sale and use of powdered alcohol in SC

COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — The South Carolina Senate has passed a ban on powdered alcohol.

The Senate voted 37-4 to give key approval Wednesday to a bill prohibiting the sale or use of alcohol in powered form. The bill faces one more procedural vote before it is sent to the House.

About half the states in the U.S. are considering similar bans

Senators rejected an amendment that would allow the state to sell and regulate powered alcohol next year after federal regulations on it are finalized. Powdered alcohol was approved for sale by federal officials earlier this week.

Bill sponsor Larry Martin says powdered alcohol has a much bigger threat for abuse. The Pickens Republican predicted if it was sold in South Carolina it would be the biggest thing on high school campuses.