Bellino bill limiting access to nitrous oxide signed into law

When State Rep. Joe Bellino learned that young people were using small canisters of nitrous oxide – more commonly known as laughing gas – as a recreational drug, he knew something had to be done.
On May 10, his bill making “whippets,” as the canisters are called, more difficult for people under the age of 18 to purchase was signed into law. The bipartisan measure prohibits sale of whippets to minors and enables prosecutors to seek fines from those who sell the canisters knowing they will be used illegally.
“We realized the use of nitrous oxide as a recreational inhalant was on the rise, and current law had a loophole not specifically banning sales to minors,” said Rep. Bellino, R-Monroe, who teamed up with state Rep. Stephanie Chang, D-Detroit, in sponsoring the legislation.
“These new laws establish a fine for knowingly selling a whippet to a minor. We have some common-sense exceptions, such as health care professionals who dispense nitrous oxide legally as part of their jobs. We are going after bad actors who knowingly sell whippets so kids can get high.”
House Bills 5463 and 5464 are now PAs 136-137 of 2018.
Rep. Bellino’s district includes Sumpter Township.