Lansing, MI – The Michigan Senate recently approved Senator Joe Bellino’s legislation to help ban the sale of objects used for the recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide.
Nitrous oxide, sometimes referred to as ‘laughing gas,’ can cause euphoria and mild hallucinations when inhaled. It has been used in dentistry as a light general anesthetic since 1844 but it is now also used in food products, most notably to add volume to whipping cream.
A whipping cream dispenser works by releasing nitrous oxide into the cream from a small metal canister called a charger. The chargers contain eight grams of nitrous oxide, which is enough gas to whip one pint of cream.
When combined with a ‘cracker,’ a device designed to puncture the canister and control the release of gas, and a durable balloon, the chargers can be used for drug-like purposes.
Bellino’s bill, Senate Bill 58, would add the sale or offer for sale of an object designed to facilitate the inhalation of nitrous oxide for recreational use to the existing penalties for other drug paraphernalia.
The penalties include incurring a misdemeanor and imprisonment for up to 90 days and a fine of up to $5,000. Penalties for adults who violate the act by selling to a minor increase to up to one year in jail, a fine of up to $7,500, or both.
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