Footage from ONSCENE.TV shows large crowds inhaling nitrous oxide from balloons outside the Orpheum Theatre during a Widespread Panic concert, with supplies reportedly available across the block. Attendees appeared visibly impaired after inhaling, raising public-safety concerns. Nitrous oxide is legally restricted to medical and industrial uses in California; recreational use can be charged as a misdemeanor with potential jail time. Authorities have recently connected NOS use to several dangerous driving incidents in the Los Angeles area.
Nitrous-Oxide Party Takes Over DTLA Block Outside Orpheum During Widespread Panic Concert
An image collage containing 3 images, Image 1 shows A crowd of people gathered on a city street at night, with an
Downtown Los Angeles streets outside the Orpheum Theatre were flooded Thursday night with concertgoers inhaling nitrous oxide (NOS) from balloons, according to video shared by ONSCENE.TV. The crowd spilled onto Broadway as a temporary bar operated nearby while jam band Widespread Panic opened the first of three consecutive shows at the venue.
Footage shows numerous attendees standing beside NOS tanks and breathing from balloons. Several people appeared visibly impaired and disorderly after inhaling the gas, and supplies were reportedly available across the block, the video indicates.
"Los Angeles, the place to be. If you're not outside, come and touch grass … We just outside having a good time," local artist SiG.Bodie says in the clip captured by ONSCENE.TV.
Nitrous oxide is a colorless, non-flammable gas used legitimately in medical and dental settings as a sedative and analgesic. Recreational inhalation can produce short-lived euphoria and dissociation; heavier or repeated use carries risks including oxygen deprivation, hallucinations, nerve damage and, in extreme cases, death.
Under California law, nitrous oxide is legal for bona fide medical and industrial uses. Using or distributing it with the intent to get high can be prosecuted as a misdemeanor and may lead to up to six months in jail, depending on the circumstances and local enforcement.
Related Incidents
Authorities have linked nitrous oxide use to recent dangerous incidents in the region. In late June, an off-duty deputy reported seeing a driver in Rancho Palos Verdes repeatedly inhaling NOS while behind the wheel; the driver was described as severely impaired and was later found with chilled NOS tanks and balloons. In March, police alleged a motorist inhaling nitrous oxide led officers on a high-speed chase through Los Angeles.
ONSCENE.TV provided the primary video of the Orpheum gathering. City officials and local law enforcement representatives did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the downtown incident.
People gathered near the Orpheum Theatre late Thursday night into early Friday ON SCENE TV
People were seen alongside NOS tanks while inhaling from balloons
Crowds of adults packed the streets of DTLA ON SCENE TV
Local rapper Sig.Bodie ON SCENE TV
A man shouts ON SCENE TV
ONSCENE.TV captured the scenes ON SCENE TV
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