§989. Dangerous chemical substances; butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, and amyl nitrite; use and transference; penalties

A.(1) It shall be unlawful for any person to inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, or chemical which contains butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, secondary butyl nitrite, tertiary butyl nitrite, and mixtures containing butyl nitrite, isobutyl nitrite, secondary butyl nitrite, or tertiary butyl nitrite.

(2) It shall be unlawful for any person to inhale, ingest, use, or possess any compound, liquid, or chemical which contains nitrous oxide, commonly known as "laughing gas" and any amyl nitrite, commonly known as "poppers" or "snappers".

(3) The provisions hereof do not apply to the possession and use of these substances prescribed as part of the care or treatment of a disease, condition, or injury by a licensed medical or dental practitioner or to the use as part of a manufacturing process or industrial operation.

(4) The provisions of this Section do not apply to the possession, use, or sale of nitrous oxide as a propellant in food preparation for restaurant, food service, or houseware products.

B. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess, buy, sell, or otherwise transfer any substance specified in Subsection A of this Section for the purpose of inducing or aiding any other person to inhale or ingest such substance or otherwise violate the provisions of Subsection A.

C. Whoever violates the provisions of this Section shall be fined not more than five hundred dollars or imprisoned for not more than six months, or both.

D. Any person who violates any of the provisions of this Section may, in the discretion of the trial judge, be required to participate in an approved drug rehabilitation program, as a condition of probation.

Acts 1988, No. 777, §1, eff. July 18, 1988; Acts 1992, No. 933, §1, eff. July 9, 1992; Acts 1993, No. 500, §1.