HARRISBURG – Chester County Sen. Carolyn Comitta plans introduce legislation to ban the sale of nitrous oxide for illegitimate use. Nitrous oxide, known also as “laughing gas,” is a chemical compound used for a variety of medical, culinary, and industrial uses. It is also misused and abused as a recreational drug and can result in a long list of medical complications. Her bill would restrict the retail sale of nitrous oxide to prevent its illicit recreational use while preserving access for legitimate and lawful purposes. The sale would need to be directly associated with a licensed medical or dental practice, bona-fide commercial culinary use, or use within the technology, automotive, or chemical industries. It will ban the sale of flavored varieties and require retailers to sign an affirmation that each nitrous oxide purchase is intended for legal, health, or food preparation purposes – not recreational. The Department of Health will be directed to create a real-time online portal to track the sales and prevent abuse. Several states have passed similar legislation to combat misuse, addiction, and overdose.
SEN. CAROLYN COMITTA