UK - What happens if you get caught selling nos?

[ioo22]

At Glastonbury this year I saw a few people get taken away by the police for selling gas. What do you reckon happened to them?

And would the police act different if you were caught selling it in public? (i.e. not a festival).

[BrainMelt]

NOS? Nitrous Oxide Systems? The company? Be kinda hard to sell a company that isn't yours.

[Evil GIR]

It doesnt come under the misuse of drugs act, but i believe it comes under the medicines act, So I think it cant be sold for human use without a licence or some sort of link to the medical proffession. If caught I would probably say a caution or a fine is more likely. But if they are selling it for cream charges for non human use then its perfectly legal.

Reputation Comments on this post:

finally a sensible answer in this thread

[FrankenChrist]

The UK?

SwiFr has seen N2O sold in the club scene just like that.

[Sippin40oz]

Yeah sadly nitrous is technically illegal for recreational consumption now. Think this is more just to stop people selling it blatantly at festivals and clubs doubt it is considered very serious. They cant exactly pretend its dangerous and should be banned as dentists and hospitals use it!

What a stupid situation though, some people starting having fun with a relatively safe product and they ban it. They would rather people drink copious amounts of alcohol and die in some gutter then inhale a little bit of Nitrous!

[Evil GIR]

Nitrous isnt entirly safe as it can cause hypoxia, especial if a mask of pure nitrous is used or some other continuess source.

Reputation Comments on this post:

true, true

[Sippin40oz]

Lol thats why i said 'relatively' safe! no matter how safe something is some idiot is going to find away to damage themselves with it!!

[adzket]

it is more an isue for helth and safty offercers to deal with which would normaly meen a fine
and it being confiscated ect... this is what hapens at clubs that get court selling it plus licence will be find to or shut down.

[ioo22]

Thanks for the info. A caution or fine isn't too bad.. would suck if they took away the dispenser though. Do you reckon if they did try to, one could say you were borrowing it off someone else?

[adzket]

Originally Posted by ioo22

Thanks for the info. A caution or fine isn't too bad.. would suck if they took away the dispenser though. Do you reckon if they did try to, one could say you were borrowing it off someone else?

nope if only swiy could lol you would never take responserbility for anything would they? it will be taken away if they suspect missuse. it is best to keep this at home where it can be used for cream whiping! other wise it could be money or swiys job down the drain.

[fnord]

Usa apears to be unregulated.

U.S. STATE LAW #
Many states outlaw the use of nitrous for recreational purposes and the sale of nitrous oxide in tanks is controlled with a variety of licensing requirements.

State Laws Concerning Nitrous Oxide (May 2002)
State by State Inhalant Legislation (somewhat out of date, 1997)

California #
California state law prohibits the possession of nitrous oxide with the intent to use it as a psychoactive unless it is administered by medical personnel. See California penal code 381b : "381b. Any person who possesses nitrous oxide or any substance containing nitrous oxide, with the intent to breathe, inhale, or ingest for the purpose of causing a condition of intoxication,elation, euphoria, dizziness, stupefaction, or dulling of the senses or for the purpose of, in any manner, changing, distorting, or disturbing the audio, visual, or mental processes, or who knowingly and with the intent to do so is under the influence of nitrous oxide or any material containing nitrous oxide is guilty of a misdemeanor. This section shall not apply to any person who is under the influence of nitrous oxide or any material containing nitrous oxide pursuant to an administration for the purpose of medical, surgical, or dental care by a person duly licensed to administer such an agent."
Florida #
A new 2005 law in Florida makes possession and use of nitrous oxide for inhaling pruposes a second-degree misdemeanor, punishable by 60 days in jail and a $500.00 fine. Selling, purchasing, transferring, or possessing more than 16 grams of nitrous oxide for the purpose of inhaling is now a third-degree felony punishable by five (5) years in prison and a $5,000.00 fine. Florida also closed a loophole that allowed nitrous oxide and nitrous oxide paraphernalia (used to store, transfer, or inhale nitrous oxide) to be sold in tobacco shops. Now the use or possession with intent to use such nitrous oxide paraphernalia is a first-degree misdemeanor punishable by one (1) year in jail and a $1,000.00 fine. See Florida State Statute Title XLVI Chapter 877.111. (thanks D5)
Oregon #
Oregon controls Nitrous Oxide as an inhalant under Chapter 229, section 1. It makes the possession of inhalants illegal "for the purpose of inducing intoxication".
INTERNATIONAL LAW #
Australia #
We believe that as of July 1, 2004, Australia now adds a number of police powers for searching and detaining individuals under 18 and seizing "volatile inhalants" from them. The Oct 2004 Australian Government Institute of Criminology seems to have out of date information and doesn not mention the new rule. More up to date information can be found at the Australian Drug Info Clearinghouse.

Australian rules now are that police may search and detain (not arrest) anyone under 18 who they suspect of using inhalants. The police are to free the young person once they are no longer a danger to themselves or others. It is not entirely clear if this rule includes Nitrous Oxide, but this seems to be the assumption.
Brazil #
Nitrous is legal for medical use only, but is available for purchase over the internet. (unconfirmed) (thanks P)
Canada #
Nitrous chargers widely available over-the-counter. We have been told that many stores will only sell to people 25 and older. (unconfirmed) (thanks J)
Netherlands #
Nitrous chargers widely available over-the-counter. Although it may be technically illegal to inhale recreationally, We have been told that many stores regularly sell to people under 18 and that police largely ignore its use. (thanks LB)
New Zealand #
In April, 2005, the New Zealand Ministry of Health reviewed the use of Nitrous Oxide and declared that much of the importation, sale, and possession was for "misuse" and in violation of the Medicines Act of 1981. Nitrous Oxide whip cream chargers have become difficult to buy over-the-counter as of May 1, 2005. See Ministry of Health Background Information on Nitrous Oxide and Scoop.co.nz.U.K. #
In the UK possesion of nitrous for non-inhalant use is legal for those over 18. It is illegal to inhale nitrous oxide though this is rarely enforced and it is illegal to sell nitrous to those under 18. Nitrous charger sales over the internet make the age limits difficult to enforce.
.

[drug-bot]

swim has seen nitrous sold at concerts, in ballons, of course they say its not to be inhaled.

[adzket]

Originally Posted by drug-bot

swim has seen nitrous sold at concerts, in ballons, of course they say its not to be inhaled.

lol what else would it be used for? in london they give instructions on how best to inhale it from the ballon so swiy would get the full hit off of it. not very offical and they wonder y they get closed down.

[Wierd Logic]

Monkey sells it to his friends for a laugh, and isn't very worried by consequences. Probably quite a few police officers wouldn't know what it was, and Monkey doubts he'd get in much trouble for it.