Lancaster law enforcement targets smoke shops selling nitrous oxide canisters; city code change under review

Lancaster police leaders told the Criminal Justice Commission they have conducted enforcement operations at smoke shops that sell nitrous oxide canisters and other products packaged for youth. The department said it has visited multiple locations, identified problematic sales practices and is coordinating with community preservation (code enforcement) and the county sheriff's department.

Commissioners and members of the public raised concerns that canisters sold for culinary use (whipped cream dispensers) are being purchased by young people and inhaled to get high. A speaker from the public and commissioners described seeing individuals passed out with canisters at encampments; police confirmed past enforcement efforts and said they have targeted shops that sell nitrous canisters and other contraband items.

The commission heard that the city has been working on an ordinance amendment to restrict or regulate sales of nitrous oxide canisters at smoke shops; that work sits with community preservation and the city's code enforcement teams. Lancaster police said they have identified shops packing cannabis products in childlike packages and other items (brass knuckles and similar paraphernalia) that have drawn enforcement attention.

One commissioner asked whether the state or another agency controls licensing for these establishments; staff advised that code enforcement and community preservation are handling the city‑level ordinance work and that other state regulators (for example, tax and fee authorities) could be involved if sales tax or unlicensed retail activity is at issue.

Ending

Police said enforcement and code reviews are ongoing; they will report back to the commission with an update on ordinance work and recent smoke shop enforcement at the next meeting.