ORLANDO, Fla. — What might seem like a harmless way to get a quick high can have devastating consequences.
Misused nitrous oxide can cause severe neurological damage, paralysis, and even death. Now, Florida is cracking down on sales under Meg’s Law, named after a Central Florida woman whose family says nitrous oxide addiction ultimately took her life.
Nitrous oxide is known by several names, including laughing gas, whippets and Galaxy Gas.
The gas is also used as a propellant in products such as whipped cream, but some people inhale it to get high. For years, teens and young adults have used it recreationally, prompting lawmakers to take action.
“I read her story, and I thought, how can such a beautiful young girl be taken by this drug, nitrous oxide, which ultimately took her life,” said State Rep. Rachel Plakon, a Republican representing Florida’s 36th District.
Margaret Caldwell, known as Meg, was found behind an Orlando tobacco shop in November 2024 after purchasing oversized canisters of nitrous oxide.
“Even though we can’t bring Meg back, we can help save other young people with this new law,” Plakon said.
Meg’s Law took effect Oct. 1, restricting nitrous oxide sales at covered smoke shops and convenience stores.
Violations can carry a third-degree felony charge.
Meg’s sister, Kathleen, who lives in Central Florida, said the law is intended to prevent other families from experiencing a similar loss.
“Meg’s Law isn’t about taking something away from people,” she said. “It is about protecting lives, holding those who profit from dangerous practices accountable, and hopefully preventing another family from experiencing the kind of devastating loss that forever changed ours.”
Dr. Kent Mathias, an assistant clinical professor of addiction medicine in the University of Florida’s Department of Psychiatry, treats patients who misuse nitrous oxide.
He said getting help early can make a significant difference.
“If you get treatment early on, when symptoms first arise — a lot of it’s reversible. If you don’t, then it can be permanent,” Mathias said.
Repeated nitrous oxide use can deprive the body of oxygen and damage the nervous system, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
It can also lead to dependence and potentially fatal consequences.
Mathias described the scale of some patients’ use, including cases involving college students.
“I have several cases where, you know, devastated parents would bring in photos of their child’s dorm room, and it was filled with hundreds of thousands of these tanks because they could just keep buying them,” Mathias said.
An independent analysis of CDC death-certificate data counted 186 U.S. deaths in 2024 in which toxic effects of nitrogen oxides were listed as a contributing cause. The figure does not establish that all those deaths involved recreational nitrous oxide use.
Florida is among a growing number of states restricting retail sales of nitrous oxide.
Meg’s Law exempts licensed grocery stores and supermarkets, as well as finished food products such as whipped cream, when the gas is used solely as a propellant.
Plakon said the legislation addresses a question Meg reportedly raised with her sister about how dangerous the gas could be if it was available for purchase at a smoke shop.
“So, this bill speaks directly to what Meg told her sister. She told her sister. ‘How can this be dangerous when I can just go to the smoke shop and buy it’?” Plakon said.
The law does not specifically prohibit every online or out-of-state purchase.
However, other Florida laws may restrict buying or possessing nitrous oxide for recreational use. Enforcement remains a question, particularly when it comes to online sales.
State regulators have not yet adopted rules aimed at preventing nitrous oxide from being sold for use as an intoxicant.