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Whippets ban in Michigan: What they are, why they’re dangerous

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Whippets ban in Michigan: What they are, why they’re dangerous


Michigan leaders are working to ban all sales of whippets in hopes of curbing the recreational use of nitrous oxide.

Whippets are the small canisters of nitrous oxide found inside whipped cream containers — hence, the drug’s name. The use of whippets, a popular party drug, has been on the rise among teenagers and young adults in recent years, according to U.S. health experts.

When the nitrous oxide is inhaled, it creates a brief high. And while the recreational use of the gas isn’t a new phenomenon, there is a growing concern over just how accessible these canisters are — especially to young people.

Canisters of nitrous oxide aren’t only found in whipped cream; the gas is largely legal to purchase and can be found easily. But there are efforts underway in Michigan to change that.

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We’re breaking down everything you need to know about the drug, and the new Michigan law just enacted this week.

What is nitrous oxide?

Nitrous oxide, also written as N2O, is a gas that is commonly used by dentists and medical professionals. Patients can be given nitrous oxide for sedation or pain relief during minor medical procedures.

The gas is also known as “laughing gas.” When given to patients in a medical setting, the gas is provided alongside a high flow of oxygen, experts say, ensuring oxygen continues flowing to the patient.

In addition to its medical use, nitrous oxide can also be found in food products — such as its use as the propellant in a can of whipped cream. The gas is also used by the automotive industry to make cars go faster.

Recreational use of nitrous oxide

Outside of its professional use, some people also inhale nitrous oxide recreationally to get high. That’s where whippets come in.

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“People who use whippets inhale the gas from those chargers [in whipped cream]. Some people inhale the gas directly. Others fill something like a balloon with the nitrous oxide gas and inhale it from the balloon. Or they fill a bag with the nitrous oxide and close the bag around their head,” the Cleveland Clinic says.

Breathing in the undiluted nitrous oxide from whippet canisters can create a euphoric high that decreases physical pain and can even cause hallucinations. This high typically only lasts a few minutes. Some users will continue to inhale from multiple canisters to maintain the high.

BRISTOL, ENGLAND – OCTOBER 14: In this photo illustration some of the thousands of empty canisters of nitrous oxide that were collected at the end of a music festival are seen on October 14, 2015 in Bristol, England. The UK government is moving towards the ban of sale of the gas -that is used legitimately as a anaesthetic pain relief and also in the production of whipped cream – to clubbers and partygoers because of its potential health risks. (Photo by Matt Cardy/Getty Images) (2015 Getty Images)

The dangers of whippets

Recreational use of nitrous oxide cannot create a physical addiction, but can form a physiological addiction — meaning your brain likes the effect of the drug, and craves it more and more.

Apart from addictions, using whippets can lead to actual physical harm, both from short term and long term use.

Short term use

In the short term, whippets can cause the following symptoms, according to the Cleveland Clinic:

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  • Dizziness, faintness and passing out.

  • Irregular heart rhythms.

  • Headaches.

  • Nausea.

  • Irritability or emotional dysregulation.

The drug can also cause hallucinations, paranoia, and impairments to your judgement and motor skills, which can lead to accidents and injuries, experts say.

Inhaling nitrous oxide directly from a canister can also cause frostbite on the lips, nose, and throat due to the cold temperature of the gas. The significant pressure of the gas in the canister can also hurt the lungs.

It’s rare, but there have been reports of people dying from asphyxiation due to inhaling nitrous oxide.

Long term use

Doing whippets continuously over a period of time can cause serious physical damage to your body, particularly the muscles, kidneys and liver, officials say.

Inhaling nitrous oxide can lead to a “severe” B12 vitamin deficiency that can cause a serious weakness of the muscles — so much so that it could land you in the hospital.

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“In cases of extreme B12 deficiency, people can be hospitalized for long periods of time and even permanently lose muscle function,” the Cleveland Clinic says.

Inhaling the gas recreationally can also decrease the oxygen available in your blood, which can cause organ damage. The lack of oxygen can put significant pressure on the kidneys and liver, damaging them.

Some experts say long term use can also result in brain damage, nerve damage, hearing loss, motor control issues and more.

Why are whippets legal in the first place?

Nitrous oxide has several professional purposes, allowing it to be purchased by medical professionals, dentists, and those manufacturing products like whipped cream. It is not illegal to buy or sell, and possession of the gas is not illegal in the United States.

The gas is regulated by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, or the FDA. Individuals can buy the nitrous oxide chargers for their reusable whipped cream dispensers.

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Selling of the gas has become more problematic in recent years, however, given how accessible it is to be purchased for recreational use.

Where do people buy whippets?

Whippets and other canisters of nitrous oxide can be purchased in physical stores and online. Packs of whipped cream chargers can even be purchased on Amazon, or in Walmart stores.

Local 4 reporter Victor Williams was able to walk into a smoke shop this week and purchase a pack of canisters for $25.

The fact that whippets are being sold in places like smoke shops — which appears to fall out of the realm of anything related to whipped cream needs — contributed to a new law enacted in Michigan to help curb the selling of recreational nitrous oxide.

Morden, LONDON,ENGLAND – November 2023: FastGas Nitrous Oxide, Discarded, Used Cannister, Laughing Gas. (Photo by Peter Dazeley/Getty Images) (2023 Peter Dazeley)

New Michigan law banning whippets

Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer this week signed two bills into law that bar a person or business from selling objects designed for recreational inhalation of nitrous oxide. The new law specifically bans the sale of objects “designed for inhaling nitrous oxide for recreational purposes or drug paraphernalia.”

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Simply put: Canisters of nitrous oxide that aren’t meant for professional use or food products are not allowed to be sold. This law takes effect on June 10, 2024.

Any person or business owner who defies this new law can be charged with a misdemeanor that carries a punishment of up to 90 days in prison, and a fine of up to $5,000, or both. If an adult sells the product to a minor, that punishment increases to up to 1 year in prison, and a fine of up to $7,500, or both.

It wasn’t immediately clear how this new ban would impact businesses in Michigan. It also wasn’t clear if the law would affect e-commerce websites that aren’t based in Michigan, but sell products to people in Michigan.

Some concerns lingered over whether a person or business could claim they didn’t know the nitrous oxide products they sell are designed for recreational use. The law does say, however, that a person found in violation of the ban will be notified at least two days before they face an arrest.

Some other states, like New York, have also banned the sale of nitrous oxide meant for recreational use. One grocery store even went so far as to request identification from people purchasing whipped cream just to be safe — though officials said that wasn’t the intent behind the law.

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How the ban will impact the sale of whipped cream in Michigan remains to be seen.

Read: Entire Michigan bills

You can read Senate bills 57 and 58, which were signed into law by Michigan Gov. Whitmer earlier this week, below.

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Recruiting Roundup: Four-star edge explains decision to commit to Michigan

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Recruiting Roundup: Four-star edge explains decision to commit to Michigan


The Michigan Wolverines have been hot on the recruiting trail coming out of official visits. They have received commitments from eight players — including one on Saturday — since the beginning on June, and more appear to be on the horizon, perhaps as soon as today.

In today’s Recruiting Roundup, we will dive into why Michigan’s latest commitment decided on playing college football in Ann Arbor, a four-star edge making his commitment today, and a really positive update on a four-star wide receiver.

Four-star edge expands on commitment to U-M

On Saturday afternoon, 2025 four-star edge Julius Holly became the latest player to commit to the Wolverines. The 6-foot-2, 230-pounder hails from the state of Georgia and chose Michigan over his other three finalists, Georgia, Texas A&M and Ole Miss.

But why Michigan? Holly spoke about that and more with On3’s Chad Simmons.

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“Since that visit to Michigan, me and my family have been talking Big Blue every day, all day,” Holly said. “Georgia was a close runner up, and all four schools were great, but the in the end it is Michigan because of the people up there. Going into the visit, I knew about their academics and the football history, but the feeling around the people made it different.

This was a pretty quick recruitment for the Wolverines, as new defensive line coach Lou Esposito offered Holly a scholarship on May 20 and got him up for his official visit the first weekend in June. He took subsequent official visits to his other three finalists, but ultimately chose the Wolverines.

Holly is the fourth defensive lineman to commit to Michigan in this class, joining in-state four-star Bobby Kanka, four-star Jaylen Williams and four-star Nate Marshall. Kanka is set for the interior, while Marshall and Williams are both flex guys, making Holly the first true edge defender to join Michigan’s 2025 class.

Top edge target announcing commitment today

While one four-star edge in the 2025 class joined the Wolverines over the weekend, another very well could be on the way as soon as today.

Over the weekend, 247Sports’ Brandon Huffman reported that four-star Marco Jones is set to make his commitment today, July 2. He will make his announcement on his YouTube channel and will choose between Michigan, Texas A&M, USC and Texas.

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Jones took official visits to all four of his finalists in June, with Michigan being his first destination. There are predictions in for Texas A&M, so it’s not looking likely he will end up in Ann Arbor, but with recruiting, anything can happen.

At 6-foot-5 and 240 pounds, Jones is one of the premier edge talents in the country. He ranks No. 157 overall, No 15 along the edge and No. 14 from the state of California, per 247Sports’ composite. Should Jones choose Michigan, Esposito would have landed four (!) top targets along the defensive line since taking over as defensive line coach in March.

Top WR target expands on recent OV, returning this month

Four-star wide receiver Andrew Marsh is one of Ron Bellamy’s biggest overall targets in the 2025 class. The 6-foot-1, 173-pounder from Katy, Texas was originally intending on officially visiting this fall, but instead canceled his trip to Oklahoma and went to Ann Arbor instead for the final official visit weekend of June. It’s no wonder that the Wolverines have received numerous expert predictions to eventually land him.

In speaking with On3’s EJ Holland ($), Marsh spoke highly of his time at Michigan, saying he, “felt like a priority and like someone they really want up there.”

Part of the reason he felt like a priority — the aforementioned Bellamy. He has formed a tight relationship with Marsh, and that is paying off big time for Michigan.

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“(Seeing Bellamy) was good as well,” Marsh said. “It’s always good to see him. I know he was happy that I came back up there. It was good getting to talk to him again. He’s really personable. You can talk to him about anything. We vibe on every level — football and outside of football. You can talk to him about whatever. He’s a really good person.”

The No. 48 overall prospect in his class, per the 247Sports composite, will be back in Ann Arbor later this month for the yearly BBQ at the Big House, and he also intends on visiting Washington that same weekend.

Finally, Holland reported that Marsh is “strongly considering” moving up his timeline from November to August. If that happens, that could spell great news for the Wolverines.

Quick Hitters

  • Brady Hart, Michigan’s four-star quarterback commit in the 2026 class, shined this past weekend at the Under Armour Future 50 event in Florida. He earned On3’s MVP for Day 2, and was also a standout among evaluators on Day 1. He’s already a top-100 talent, but it appears he could rise even higher in the rankings.
  • Get to know the name Gregory Patrick. He’s a 2026 four-star offensive line recruit from the state of Michigan. He spoke with 247Sports’ Brice Marich ($) about how hard the coaching staff is pushing for him — very hard, by the sounds of it — and how the aforementioned Hart committing to the Wolverines is helping their cause. Oh, and he may be back for the BBQ at the Big House.
  • Another 2026 name to know: Kevin Brown. He’s nearly a five-star player on the 247Sports composite and just earned his offer from Michigan on Saturday (it was a long time coming). At 6-foot-5 and 270 pounds, this kid — yes, kid, even at that size — is an athletic freak.



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Major drug dealer found guilty of multiple drug, weapons offenses in Michigan

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Major drug dealer found guilty of multiple drug, weapons offenses in Michigan


Ricardo Delgado, II, the leader of a large-scale drug conspiracy operating in the Saginaw-Bay area, was convicted by a federal jury of multiple drug and weapons offenses, including drug conspiracy and possession with intent to distribute kilogram quantities of cocaine and fentanyl, possession of multiple machineguns and for being a felon in possession of a firearm.

Delgado, 51, was convicted of conspiracy to possess with intent to distribute and distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute at least five kilograms of cocaine, possession with intent to distribute at least 400 grams of fentanyl, possession of a machinegun in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking crime, possession of a machinegun, felon in possession of a firearm, possession of an unregistered silencer, and use of communication facility to commit a drug offense.

Court documents revealed Delgado was involved in a wide-ranging drug conspiracy that involved the importation of numerous kilograms of cocaine and fentanyl from Mexico for distribution in the Saginaw-Bay area.

FBI agents learned from a court-authorized wiretap that Delgado was seeking retaliation for the theft of his drugs from a subordinate and that he ordered that subordinate to exact revenge.

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However, the plan was thwarted by authorities. In addition, following Delgado’s arrest, law enforcement officers seized 13 kilograms of cocaine, 2 kilograms of fentanyl, 12 firearms, including two machine guns and two silencers, and over $200,000 in cash from the 51-year-old’s residence.

When he is sentenced, Delgado faces a mandatory minimum sentence of 55 years and a maximum of life in prison.

Copyright 2024 by WDIV ClickOnDetroit – All rights reserved.



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Crews resume search for swimmer who went missing in Lake Michigan at Evanston's Lighthouse Beach

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Crews resume search for swimmer who went missing in Lake Michigan at Evanston's Lighthouse Beach


EVANSTON, Ill. (WLS) — Lighthouse Beach is off-limits while crews continue their search Monday for a swimmer who disappeared after jumping in the water.

The Evanston Fire Department was back on Lake Michigan on Monday morning, resuming their search for the man who went missing in the water on Sunday afternoon.

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Assisted by Chicago and other suburban fire departments and the U.S. Coast Guard, crews, for now, are focusing on a half-mile area starting at Lighthouse Beach and heading south. They are using sonar and other technology, but the turbulent water is making things difficult.

“Even our rescuers this morning, during the search effort, was reporting extremely hazardous current and wave conditions that they were facing as they were in their vessels,” said Matt Smith with the Evanston Fire Department.

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It was Sunday afternoon when an emergency call came in regarding four swimmers struggling in the water.

Joe Flanagan said he saw everything unfold.

Flanagan was at Lighthouse Beach with his son-in-law and grandson. He said two teenage girls were having difficulty in the water when a woman and a man jumped in to help them.

“It just didn’t look like everything was going well, so I got down to my shorts and jumped in water, grabbed mother and the daughter, and one of the other girls, and pulled them up,” Flanagan said.

Flanagan got the teen girls and the woman to safety, but when he went back in to look for the man, he could not find him. He said a red flag was up at the beach, signifying no swimming. He says it is important for people to heed safety warnings.

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“The only reason I’m here right now, talking to you, is because people have to know that this is really dangerous. That water is incredibly dangerous,” Flanagan said.

Just Monday morning, a man died after being pulled from the lake near Montrose Beach.

Dave Benjamin with the Great Lake Surf Rescue Project said around 50 people drown in Lake Michigan each year, and that knowing how to swim does not guarantee survival.

“Essentially, what we need people to do is float to live, float to survive. They need to flip over on their back and float, stay on the surface until they can either self-rescue, or a professional can rescue them,” Benjamin said.

Copyright © 2024 WLS-TV. All Rights Reserved.

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