Overview

• The Bundes­kabinett has approved an amendment to the Neue-psychoaktive-Stoffe-Gesetz to include nitrous oxide cartridges over eight grams and the date-rape chemicals GBL and BDO under handling prohibitions for minors.
• Under the proposal, anyone under 18 would be barred from acquiring or possessing these substances and sales via vending machines and online platforms would be banned.
• Exemptions are preserved for industrial, scientific, medical and low-risk culinary uses to maintain legitimate applications of the chemicals.
• After the summer recess, the legislation will be presented to the Bundestag and stipulates a three-month grace period for vendors to implement mandatory age checks.
• Schleswig-Holstein will enact its own statewide prohibition on nitrous oxide sales to minors from July 17, following earlier local restrictions in cities such as Essen.