Most people don't think of alcohol – especially the kind you consume -- as anything but a liquid.
But the makers of a controversial product called Palcohol, or powdered alcohol, are trying to regain approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.
It is being opposed from those who say it can be used inappropriately or cause people to consume too much alcohol.
State Sen. Ira Silverstein, D-Chicago, says that, even though the product is not yet on the market, it still poses a danger. He's sponsoring a measure to ban it in Illinois.
"Just trying to be preventative, trying to be ahead of the curve before anything happens” Silverstein says. “The legislature seems to act after the fact, so I'm just trying to stay ahead of the curve."
Silverstein's proposed measure amends the Liquor Control Act of 1934 so it forbids anyone to "sell, offer for sale, or deliver, receive, or purchase for resale in this State any product consisting of or containing powdered alcohol." It defines "powdered alcohol" as any powder or crystalline substance containing alcohol produced for human consumption.
The FDA regulators had given Palcohol the okay but rescinded approval last April. Palcohol's website says it is still expecting to be on shelves in spring of this year.
Whatever happens, Silverstein says people can misuse the product by consuming too much or snorting it.
"Other states have already started banning this, and I think it's really a harmful device to have powdered alcohol,” he said. “People can put it in their … Not only have you got your alcohol drinks, but also your food, and I think it can really cause harm."
Palcohol's manufacturers -- the Arizona-based company Lipsmark LLC -- say people are misinformed about its product, and powdered booze isn't much different from liquid alcohol.
The product website says it plans to market the powder in a "beverage formulation ... for the legitimate and responsible enjoyment by lawful consumers."
Market targets include to hikers and travelers who may want something lighter than the liquid variety.
They also propose to produce a non-ingestible "industrial formulation" with potential medical, manufacturing and energy applications.
An article last year in Fortune magazine quotes Lipsmark principal Mark Phillips as saying Palcohol “allows active folks to enjoy a cocktail after an activity when they’re out and about as well as making it much easier and safer to transport alcohol in luggage.”
Phillips adds, “Those are just two of the features, and I’m sure people will find others.”
Lisa Ryan of Illinois Public Radio contributed to this story.