Overview

• Health Minister Nina Warken’s draft bill would prohibit sale and possession of nitrous oxide for under-18s nationwide.
• The proposal would block online and self-service vending-machine purchases to curb youth access to the party drug.
• Small nitrous oxide cartridges of up to eight grams intended for culinary uses such as whipped cream would remain exempt.
• The legislation targets Gamma-Butyrolacton and 1,4-Butanediol as date-rape substances with new handling restrictions.
• Cities including Bonn and Köln have enforced local prohibitions and the federal rules are set to take effect three months after enactment.