City Council - 7/15/2025 - Agenda Item M3 - Prohibition of Nitrous Oxide Ordinance

The City Council of Oxnard held a meeting on July 15, 2025, to discuss and introduce an ordinance aimed at prohibiting the recreational misuse of nitrous oxide. The ordinance adds Article 27 to Chapter 7 of the Oxnard city code, focusing on regulating the sale and use of nitrous oxide to prevent its abuse as an intoxicant. The council highlighted the health risks associated with recreational inhalation, including neurological and hematological damage, as well as the rise in misuse linked to traffic and criminal incidents. The ordinance seeks to protect public health by restricting sales to individuals suspected of intending recreational use, while still allowing legitimate professional and food-related applications.