HB245 Alabama 2025 Session

Summary

Primary Sponsor

Chris PringleRepresentative

Republican

Session

2025 Regular Session

Title

Crimes and offenses, controlled substances, prohibiting the use of butyl nitrite or any mixtures containing butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, and amyl nitrite except under certain circumstances, providing penalties for violations

Summary

HB245 would ban the possession or use of butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, and amyl nitrite in Alabama, with limited exemptions and penalties.

What This Bill Does

It makes it illegal to inhale, ingest, use, or possess these substances or any mixtures containing them. It provides specific exemptions for: (a) legally prescribed medical or dental use by a licensed practitioner for a person 21 or older, (b) manufacturing processes by someone 21 or older, (c) nitrous oxide used as a propellant in food preparation or houseware products by someone 21 or older, and (d) nitrous oxide for automotive purposes by someone 21 or older. The presence of added flavoring or labeling suggesting flavoring creates a rebuttable presumption against applying these exemptions. Violations carry penalties, with unlawful possession of inhalants designated as a Class A misdemeanor, and the act becomes effective October 1, 2025.

Who It Affects

• General public and potential users who would be subject to criminal penalties for unlawful possession or use of butyl nitrite, nitrous oxide, or amyl nitrite, unless an exemption applies.
• Licensed medical or dental practitioners, manufacturers, food service/houseware producers, and automotive users who may handle or use these substances under the specified exemptions (and must be at least 21).

Key Provisions

• Prohibits possession, inhalation, ingestion, use, or transfer of butyl nitrite and mixtures containing it, as well as nitrous oxide and amyl nitrite.
• Exceptions include: (a) lawful prescription by a licensed medical or dental practitioner for care or treatment (21+), (b) possession/use in a manufacturing process or industrial operation (21+), (c) possession/use/sale of nitrous oxide as a propellant in food preparation or houseware by 21+, (d) possession/use/sale of nitrous oxide for automotive purposes by 21+.
• Flavoring or labeling that indicates flavoring shall create a rebuttable presumption against the exemptions.
• Unlawful possession of inhalants is a Class A misdemeanor.
• Effective date: October 1, 2025.

AI-generated summary using openai/gpt-5-nano on Feb 22, 2026. May contain errors — refer to the official bill text for accuracy.

Subjects

Controlled Substances; Crimes & Offenses