Party hydrogeologist - Lauterbach will prohibit sales of laughing gas
Federal Health Minister Karl Lauterbach intends to ban the sale of Laughing Gas as a "Party Drug" to young people through legislation. SPD politician Lauterbach has prepared a bill for this purpose, as reported by the "Rheinische Post." A ministry spokesperson confirmed these plans today. The amendment proposal reportedly also includes a ban on so-called "K.O. Drops." The paper has now entered the ministerial approval process. Lauterbach has previously advocated for stricter regulations.
Laughing Gas is not currently covered under the Narcotics Law
Laughing Gas, or Nitrous Oxide (N2O), has been on the rise as a Party Drug for several years. Consumers inhale the euphoric substance through balloons. In Germany, Laughing Gas is not yet covered under the Narcotics Law and can be bought in cylinders or cartridges at supermarkets, tobacco shops, or online. Other countries have already enacted legislative measures against its misuse.
For children and adolescents, there should reportedly be a fundamental prohibition on possession. However, industrial, commercial, or scientific use of Laughing Gas as an "acknowledged application" should remain permitted, as long as the misuse of the substance as a recreational drug can be excluded. The background is that Laughing Gas is used in industry, for example, to whip cream, or in medicine and science.
The minister also intends to ban the chemicals Gamma-Butyrolactone and 1,4-Butanediol. They are known as "K.O. Drops." Perpetrators pour these mostly odorless and tasteless chemicals into their victims' beverages. These substances usually act like drugs. After a few minutes, victims become dizzy, unable to think clearly, and feel as if they are drunk. Shortly thereafter, they can lose consciousness for minutes or even hours. Perpetrators use this time for sexual offenses or robbery.
According to the report, the legislative amendment should be implemented after the summer break and could still come into effect this year.
- SPD politician Karl Lauterbach, who is the Federal Health Minister, as reported by the Rhinish Post, aims to prohibit the sale of Laughing Gas as a Party Drug to young people through legislation.
- The sales prohibition proposal by Lauterbach also includes a ban on so-called "K.O. Drops," which are chemicals like Gamma-Butyrolactone and 1,4-Butanediol.
- Despite its rising popularity as a Party Drug, Laughing Gas, or Nitrous Oxide (N2O), is not yet covered under the Narcotics Law in Germany, making it easily accessible at supermarkets, tobacco shops, or online.
- In response to its misuse, other countries have already implemented legislative measures, and Lauterbach has previously advocated for stricter regulations in Germany.
- Lauterbach's proposal aims to maintain a fundamental prohibition on possession for children and adolescents while permitting industrial, commercial, or scientific use of Laughing Gas, as long as recreational drug misuse can be excluded.
