Brickbat: No Laughing Matter

Acting against the advice of its own experts, the British government is set to ban the possession of nitrous oxide. The proposed new law is supported by both the Conservative and Labor parties. But the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs has warned that sanctions could outweigh the harm caused by the drug and make it more difficult to obtain nitrous oxide for legitimate purposes. Recreational use of nitrous oxide is already banned under British law.