also be mindful about confusing
products entering the market-
place. Like all states, Wyoming
is dealing with policing new al-
cohol products that might easily
fall into the wrong hands. One
of the newest product trends
on the state's radar are freeze-
dried packets containing alcohol
in a powdered form. While the
product is currently unavailable, Wyoming offi cials are
concerned of the possible ramifi cations that may result
from eventually permitting it to be sold.
"With a product like this, you're dealing with several
factors," Montoya says. "First, there's the concern that
the product is easily concealable, and could be transport-
ed into venues such as concerts or festivals undetected.
There's also a fear that the powdered nature of the prod-
uct could allow it to be snorted, thus being absorbed by
the body in a rapid way."
Freeze-dried alcohol packets are just one example
of products that the Division keeps a close eye on. Any
product considered to have confusing or misleading
packaging, along with products that seem likely to ap-
peal primarily to underage individuals, is immediately
brought up for discussion by
offi cials in the Division's listing
meetings to determine if the
product is appropriate to sell in
the state of Wyoming.
There's another area of
compliance that hasn't yet
come into play in Wyoming,
but Division administrators
are keeping a close watch on
how the matter is being handled in other states. In early
2014, a bill proposing the decriminalization of marijuana
was rejected by the Wyoming House of Representatives.
Despite the ruling, several organizations across the state
have requested that lawmakers revisit the idea of legal-
izing marijuana. While it all boils down to just talk at this
point, any future regulation decisions would most likely
fall under the Division's enforcement domain. For that
reason, everyone within the Division is interested to see
how similar regulations will play out in other states.
"It's obviously a concern of ours, but we all need to
learn some lessons from the other states, and the decision
will ultimately be up to our voters and legislators," Noble
stated. "We will all be keeping a close eye on it moving
forward."
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StateWays Q www.stateways.com Q July/August 2014 16
"
We get hundreds of new
item inquiries each week,
and we need to do product research on
each and every one of them."
— Greg Cook
Administrator of the
Wyoming Liquor Distribution Division
