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Cerritos council introduces ordinance to ban recreational nitrous oxide sales
Summary
The Cerritos City Council voted 5‑0 to introduce a municipal code amendment, DCA 2026‑2, that would prohibit the sale, distribution, possession and consumption of nitrous oxide for recreational use while preserving legitimate medical, wholesale and vehicle‑performance exceptions.
The Cerritos City Council on March 23 introduced a code amendment aimed at stopping sales and recreational use of nitrous oxide inside the city.
Staff presented Development Code Amendment DCA 2026‑2, which would add a new section to the municipal code prohibiting retail sale, distribution, possession and consumption of nitrous oxide for recreational inhalation while explicitly exempting legitimate uses such as when it is contained in a food product, sold in wholesale quantities, provided for medical or dental care, sold by state‑licensed pharmacists or wholesalers, or otherwise allowed under state law. Planning Commission members had recommended approval on March 4 by a 5‑0 vote.
“DCA 2026‑2 proposes to amend the municipal code to prohibit the sale, distribution, possession, and consumption of nitrous oxide for recreational purposes,” Director of Community Development Sabrina Chan said, summarizing the staff recommendation and the draft ordinance.
Councilmember Sei pressed staff on health and enforcement details, citing risks she said are associated with misuse, including “neurological damage and oxygen depression and long term cognitive impairment.” Staff replied that compliance would rely on targeted vendor outreach, spot checks and coordination with the city’s business licensing and code enforcement teams; tobacco retailers would be required to self‑attest during annual license renewal that they are not selling prohibited products.
After questions and no public speakers on the item, Councilmember Johnson moved to waive full reading and introduce the ordinance. The motion passed 5‑0.
If adopted in subsequent readings, the amendment would make the retail prohibition enforceable while preserving lawful commercial, medical and wholesale uses identified in the ordinance text. The city will return the ordinance for further readings and any additional amendments before a final vote.
