A law passed in 2021 in New York is gaining traction in California. This law made it illegal to buy canned whipped cream unless you’re over the age of 21. While it may seem crazy, it’s for a good reason. Researchers found 1 in 5 young people are using inhalants by the time they reach the eighth grade. Remembering when I was younger and the kids around me… they’re not wrong.
“Inhalants are invisible, volatile substances found in common household products that produce chemical vapors that are inhaled to induce psychoactive or mind-altering effects,” according to a US Drug Enforcement Administration factsheet. Doing ‘whippets’ can cause brain damage, and hinder your hearing, thinking, moving, vision and decision making skills.
The law went into effect November 2021, and it’s meant to prevent teens from getting high from the nitrous oxide. Other things that kids could get high on are glade refresher sprays and dust off the computer cleaning canned air. There are already laws across the nation that prevent those under the age of 18 to buy it. This is one of those things that I experienced first hand while working at a Staples. A minor came in and bought a can of dust off and then proceeded to get high in the bathroom. Local authorities were called after the person continued to scream at themselves in the mirror and wouldn’t leave the bathroom when asked.
