It is working normally for me.. when the effect changes to dripping honey I am able to grab some in a bottle and able to use shears on it.
Perhaps a fire may have been started on your base through some method such as a thunderstorm and got put out by the rain after destroying a few blocks?
It is working normally for me.. when the effect changes to dripping honey I am able to grab some in a bottle and able to use shears on it.