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Supervisors conceptually approve ordinance to ban retail sale of recreational nitrous oxide; education period planned before enforcement
Summary
The board gave concept approval Sept. 9 to add chapter 7.16 to county code to forbid retail sale or distribution of nitrous oxide for recreational inhalation; supervisors directed outreach and an education phase before enforcement. The ordinance excludes culinary, medical and industrial uses.
The Santa Cruz County Board of Supervisors on Sept. 9 conceptually approved an ordinance to ban retail sale and distribution of nitrous oxide when sold for recreational inhalation, citing growing local misuse, impaired driving incidents and neurological harms from chronic use.
Supervisor Justin Cummings introduced the proposal after hearing reports of substantial retail availability and recent local law‑enforcement seizures. County health and law‑enforcement officials described storefront displays and flavored canisters sold alongside devices and balloons marketed in youth‑facing colors.…
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