A San Francisco supervisor is calling for a citywide ban of the sale of nitrous oxide, a gas that can be ingested recreationally to produce a “high.”
Nitrous oxide, also referred to as “whip-its” and “laughing gas,” is an inhalant that can be used recreationally from whipped cream canisters. The abuse of nitrous oxide has also been linked to “serious adverse health events,” such as neurological damage, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
While used in medical settings such as dentist’s offices as an anesthetic, whip-its have “been exploding in popularity in San Francisco and across the U.S.” for recreational use, Supervisor Danny Sauter said.
Even though state and federal law makes it illegal to ingest, possess, or sell nitrous oxide for recreational use, it is still being sold to people at stores like smoke shops.
At the Feb. 24 Board of Supervisors meeting, Sauter requested to draw up a draft ordinance banning its sale in retail settings. The legislation will be written to allow exemptions for use in the medical, dental, culinary, and automotive industries, Sauter said.
Other local jurisdictions have recently imposed bans on retail sales of nitrous oxide, including the city of San Jose and the counties of San Mateo, Santa Cruz and Mendocino.
“I look forward to working with the city attorney to craft this legislation, which will be shaped by health professionals, youth advocates and small business input,” Sauter said.