Andrew Gonzales, deputy city attorney for the City of Oxnard, presented a proposed ordinance that would add Article 27 to Chapter 7 of the Oxnard City Code to regulate the sale of nitrous oxide, saying the measure is intended to curb recreational misuse and protect public health.

Gonzales told meeting attendees that “nitrous oxide is an odorless, colorless chemical that can be inhaled for legitimate purposes associated with medical or dental procedures in a clinical setting and is legitimately used for industrial purposes and as a propellant for food products.” He said the city’s proposal targets nonmedical sales and distribution that can enable recreational inhalation.

The deputy city attorney said medical literature and local experience show recreational misuse has grown in recent years and can produce short-term effects such as impaired judgment and irrational behavior as well as longer-term harms, including “permanent vitamin deficiencies in the blood,” neurological damage and, in severe cases, paralysis or death. Gonzales said the problem persists in part because nitrous oxide is inexpensive and “easy to purchase from retailer vendors.” He added that “multiple medical studies” have noted significant increases in recreational misuse in the past five years.

Gonzales also cited Penal Code section 381(b), saying the state law makes it a misdemeanor to possess nitrous oxide for the purpose of intoxication or to be under the influence of nitrous oxide, but it does not prohibit general possession. “However,” he said, “the city does not currently regulate the sale of nitrous oxide and finds and declares that in the absence of local regulation, nitrous oxide remains subject to significant risk of misuse and abuse through sale to individuals who intend to misuse or abuse the product.”

Gonzales summarized the ordinance language presented by title as proposing that sellers be dissuaded from selling nitrous oxide products to people they know or have reason to know intend to use them for recreational inhalation. He concluded the presentation by saying staff is available for questions.

No formal vote or final action on the ordinance was recorded in the transcript provided.