A large group of adults gathered in the streets of downtown Los Angeles clutching nitrous oxide (NOS) tanks, and inhaling the gas from balloons.
The reckless partiers gathered on Broadway Thursday night, taking over the sidewalk in front of the Orpheum Theatre, where a makeshift bar served alcohol. The band Widespread Panic played its first of three shows in a row at the Orpheum Thursday night.
The concertgoers appeared rowdy after inhaling from the balloons, while supplies were apparently made available to everyone, according to video captured by ONSCENE.TV.
“Los Angeles, the place to be, if you not outside, come and touch grass … We just outside having a good time,” one local artist called SiG.Bodie said in the video.
“Anyone can just go grab some NOS? It kills your brain cells,” the videographer said to the man.
Nitrous Oxide is a non-flammable, colorless gas that dentists use as painkillers. When inhaled, the gas can make a person feel relaxed and happy, but a lot of NOS can lead to hallucination and death.
NOS is legal in California but only for legitimate medical reasons. Anyone who uses the substance with the intent to get high can be charged with a misdemeanor and can go to jail for up to six months.
Most recently, an off-duty deputy witnessed a person repeatedly inhale NOS while driving in Rancho Palos Verdes late June.
The man was seriously impaired and dangerously drove through stop signs while almost hitting parked vehicles. He was eventually caught and found with ice cold NOS tanks along with balloons.
A driver accused of inhaling nitrous oxide also led a high-speed police chase across Los Angeles back in March.
