Laughing gas abuser blames head shops for injury

SACRAMENTO, Calif. (AP) — A nitrous oxide abuser is blaming California head shops for injuries during his laughing gas highs.

Doctors say Jason Starn, who must now use a walker to get around, suffered degeneration of his spinal cord because of his nitrous oxide use.

The 35-year-old former Modesto school teacher filed a Sacramento Superior Court lawsuit last year against head shops in Modesto, Folsom and Foothill Farms, where he bought the drug in the form of gas chargers that go by the trade name Whip-It.

The lawsuit claims Whip-It is the nation's most-popular inhalant drug.

The Sacramento Bee ( ) says Starn's product safety suit asks for an unspecified general and punitive damages. A court date hasn't been set.

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Information from: The Sacramento Bee,