Recreational Nitrous Oxide (whippits) ban

Posted on 10/20/2026

The Los Angeles City Council voted 14–0 on October 7, 2026, to ban tobacco and cannabis retailers from selling or distributing recreational nitrous oxide (laughing gas or "whippits").

LA City Council Motion - https://cityclerk.lacity.org/onlinedocs/2024/24-1220_misc_10-08-24.pdf

Key Details of the Ordinance:

The Vote: Unanimous 14–0 approval (Councilmember Katy Yaroslavsky was absent).
Penalties: Violations are classified as a misdemeanor, carrying penalties of up to a $1,000 fine, six months in county jail, or both.
Exemptions: The ban exempts pre-packaged food products (such as whipped cream) that use nitrous oxide as a propellant, as well as legitimate medical, dental, or industrial uses.
Next Steps: The ordinance was sent to Mayor Karen Bass for final signature and approval.
Expanded Action: The council also directed the City Attorney's Office to draft a separate ordinance to potentially expand restrictions to other types of retailers selling nitrous oxide without a legitimate use.

Recreational nitrous oxide—commonly known as laughing gas, whippets, nangs, or NOS—is the non-medical inhalation of nitrous oxide gas to induce a short-lived high.

More context: It has been a misdemeanor under state law to knowingly sell or possess nitrous oxide for use as a recreational drug for more than a decade, but the state allows it to be used for things like medical care, vehicle performance and cooking.

What It Is and How It Is Used

Source: It is a colorless, odorless gas legally manufactured for medical sedation (e.g., in dentistry or childbirth) or as a propellant in culinary whipped cream chargers and large tanks (such as Galaxy Gas).
Consumption: Users typically release the gas from small metal cartridges ("whippets") or large canisters into a balloon, then inhale it. (Inhaling directly from a high-pressure dispenser or canister is dangerous and can cause severe frostbite or lung damage).
Effects: Inhalation causes a rapid onset of euphoria, relaxation, dissociation, or mild hallucinations that usually last for just a few minutes.

Risks and Dangers

Short-Term Risks: Inhaling pure nitrous oxide displaces oxygen in the lungs and brain, which can lead to dizziness, confusion, fainting, suffocation, or fatal hypoxia. Mixing it with alcohol or other depressants increases the risk of loss of consciousness or respiratory arrest.
Long-Term/Chronic Risks: Frequent or heavy use inactivates vitamin B12 in the body, blocking the production of nerve myelin. This can result in irreversible nerve damage, subacute combined degeneration of the spinal cord, numbness, paralysis, and severe cognitive or mobility issues

If you or someone you know is struggling with substance use or has questions about health risks, you can reach out to the SAMHSA National Helpline at 1-800-662-4357 for free, confidential support 24/7.