Is Galaxy Gas illegal? At least eight states have now cracked down on nitrous oxide sales
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Five states passed nitrous oxide laws this year alone, and a federal ban cleared a House committee 36-0. Here's where it's illegal to sell.
Flavored nitrous oxide sold in big canisters under names like Galaxy Gas is getting harder to buy legally. Florida's ban on retail sales took effect on October 1. Tennessee's started July 1, and South Carolina's became law in May. California passed two laws in September, and the Los Angeles City Council voted 14-0 in October to ban smoke shops from selling it. A federal ban is waiting on a vote in the U.S. House.
Nitrous oxide is laughing gas, the sedative dentists use. It's sold legally as a propellant for whipped cream, and people inhale it to get high. The Food and Drug Administration has warned consumers since March 2025 not to inhale nitrous oxide products from canisters, tanks, or chargers of any size, and it names Galaxy Gas among the brands. Deaths involving nitrous oxide climbed from 23 in 2010 to 156 in 2023, a 578% increase, according to a study in JAMA Network Open, as summarized by the University of Mississippi.
Here are the states that have passed laws aimed at recreational nitrous oxide, from oldest to newest:
| State | Law | What it does | In effect |
|---|---|---|---|
| Louisiana | HB 64, Act 248 (2024) | Bans retail sale of nitrous oxide | August 1, 2024 |
| Michigan | SB 57 and 58 (2024) | Bans selling devices made for inhaling nitrous oxide recreationally | Signed March 2024 |
| Alabama | SB 78 (2025) | Makes possession for inhalant abuse a misdemeanor and sale a felony | October 1, 2025 |
| South Carolina | S. 751 (2026) | Bans recreational sales and all flavored nitrous oxide | May 18, 2026 |
| Washington | HB 2532 (2026) | Makes unauthorized sale a gross misdemeanor | June 11, 2026 |
| Tennessee | HB 1644 (2026) | Makes retail sale a felony | July 1, 2026 |
| Florida | SB 432, "Meg's Law" (2026) | Bars retailers from selling nitrous oxide | October 1, 2026 |
| California | SB 936 and SB 758 (2026) | Bans flavored nitrous oxide and large canisters; bars most retail sales | SB 936: January 1, 2027 |
Florida has the newest ban. Under Meg's Law, smoke shops, gas stations, and other retailers can no longer sell nitrous oxide, and a violation is a third-degree felony, WOKV reported. The Florida Senate's bill page lists it as Chapter 2026-148.
In Tennessee, selling nitrous oxide in retail stores became a Class E felony on July 1, with fines of $2,500 for a first offense, WSMV reported. The legislature's record shows it as Public Chapter 702.
South Carolina's House and Senate passed S. 751 unanimously, and it took effect when Gov. Henry McMaster signed it on May 18, the SC Daily Gazette reported. Flavored versions "are banned without exception." A first offense can bring a $1,000 fine and six months in jail, and three or more sales can mean up to $10,000 in fines and three years in jail. Home cooks can still buy small cartridges of up to 8 grams. The State Law Enforcement Division says the law also bans sales to anyone under 18.
In Washington, Gov. Bob Ferguson signed a ban in March that makes selling and distributing nitrous oxide products a gross misdemeanor, punishable by up to a year in jail, The Reflector reported. Alabama's 2025 inhalant law makes possession a Class A misdemeanor and sale a Class D felony, punishable by up to five years in prison and a $7,500 fine, Alabama Political Reporter reported. Michigan took a narrower route. Its 2024 law targets the devices made for inhaling the gas, with penalties of up to 90 days in jail and a $5,000 fine, according to FOX 2 Detroit.
California signed SB 936 on September 18. It bans flavored nitrous oxide and containers over 8 grams, and it takes effect January 1, 2027. SB 758, signed September 30, bars most retail sales but excludes grocery stores. Possessing nitrous oxide to get high has been a misdemeanor in California for years.
What about other states? Bills have been introduced in New York and Minnesota. In Congress, the Nitrous Oxide Safety Act, from Rep. Kevin Mullin of California, would ban retail sales nationwide. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved it 36-0 in September, WSMV reported, and it now goes to the full House.
As for Galaxy Gas itself, the company paused direct sales in September 2024, NBC News reported. The FDA's warning still lists more than a dozen other brands, sold online and in stores.
Sources
- FDA: FDA advises consumers not to inhale nitrous oxide products
- University of Mississippi: Nitrous oxide deaths spike by more than 500%
- Louisiana Legislature: HB 64 (2024)
- FOX 2 Detroit: Whippet abuse bill signed into Michigan law
- Alabama Political Reporter: Ivey signs bill criminalizing inhalants
- SC Daily Gazette: SC law outlaws recreational sales of nitrous oxide
- SLED: New SC law on nitrous oxide
- Washington Legislature: HB 2532
- The Reflector: Ferguson signs nitrous oxide ban
- Tennessee General Assembly: HB 1644
- WSMV: Tennessee's nitrous oxide ban
- Florida Senate: SB 432 (2026)
- WOKV: Nitrous oxide products now banned in Florida
- California Senate: SB 936 signed into law
- WSMV: Proposed nitrous oxide ban clears congressional hurdle
- NBC News: Family files lawsuit seeking halt to Galaxy Gas sales
Frequently asked
Is Galaxy Gas illegal?
It depends on the state. Louisiana, Florida, Tennessee, South Carolina, Washington, and California restrict or ban retail sales, and Alabama and Michigan have their own laws. The FDA warns against inhaling any nitrous oxide product.
Is it illegal to buy whippets in Florida?
Retailers in Florida can no longer sell nitrous oxide under Meg's Law, which took effect October 1, 2026. A violation is a third-degree felony. The law is listed as Chapter 2026-148.
Is there a federal ban on nitrous oxide?
Not yet. The Nitrous Oxide Safety Act would ban retail sales nationwide. The House Energy and Commerce Committee approved it 36-0 in September 2026, and it now awaits a vote by the full House.