Alabama Senate Bill 78, a bill criminalizing the recreational use of nitrous oxide and other chemical inhalants, went into effect last Wednesday.
The law specifically prohibits recreational usage, as the chemicals are utilized in some manufacturing and medical capacities, but unauthorized personal usage is now a state crime. It prohibits the possession of “any compound, liquid, gas, or chemical which contains nitrous oxide,” specifically noting “laughing gas,” “Galaxy Gas” or “whippets.”
Nitrous oxide is a key ingredient in the galaxy gas trend where people would inhale the chemical intended for whipped cream dispensers. When misused for recreational purposes over long periods, it can cause neurological damage, oxygen deprivation or even death. Despite this, the other uses for nitrous oxide meant there was previous major age restriction and products, particularly whippets, could be bought at gas stations near campus…