Methanol is "innocuous" only if not taken internally.
The Prohibition laws were largely responsible for the use of canned heat, rubbing alcohol, vanilla and other materials solvent in alcohol being used by alcoholics. Repeal largely disposed of the problem, but complete "rubadubs" wihout access to liquor still resorted to these substitutes. There are still districts where merchants keep these products out of sight to prevent pilferage and produce them only when asked for.