Westminster bans recreational sale of whippets, joining OC trend

Westminster's City Council voted May 13 to ban the recreational sale of nitrous oxide — commonly known as whippets — making it the latest Orange County city to restrict retail distribution of the gas canisters.

The ordinance, which takes effect June 12, reflects a countywide push to close gaps in California law that have allowed smoke shops and other retailers to sell a substance health officials warn can cause paralysis and death.

The Westminster measure limits nitrous oxide sales to professional settings, with carved-out exceptions for culinary use, medical and dental anesthesia, and automotive performance applications. Retail outlets such as smoke shops would no longer be permitted to sell the canisters for non-commercial purposes.

City staff member Ryan Salz laid out the health stakes at a March council meeting, Voice of OC reported. "There's serious negative health effects that can be caused by the [recreational] use of nitrous oxide, such as blood clots, neurological damage, asphyxiation, paralysis and even death," Salz said.

The ban also reflects frustration with state-level regulation. "California state law does regulate the sale and distribution of nitrous oxide, but it doesn't go far enough in some areas," Salz said at the same meeting.

Westminster joins Costa Mesa, Fullerton, Stanton and Santa Ana in enacting local restrictions. Orange County's Board of Supervisors approved a countywide ban in February 2025, making it the first county in California to explicitly prohibit the recreational retail sale of whippets, according to Voice of OC.

Councilmember Carlos Manzo voiced support for the ordinance during earlier discussions in March. "I don't see a common sense need for a sale of this product, for instance, at a smoke shop. Those types of customers are going to be using it for nefarious reasons," he said.

The ordinance was initially approved April 22 and received final council approval May 13. It takes effect June 12, 30 days after the final vote.