Are Poppers (alkyl nitrites) Legal in Delaware? (2026)

Illegal

As of November 12, 2026, Poppers (alkyl nitrites) are illegal to sell (federally scheduled; state law on file reads gray area) in Delaware. Federal consumer-product ban on alkyl nitrites (15 U.S.C. 2057a, 2057b). Controlling source: 11 Del. C. 627 Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes.

Verified November 12, 2026 (hash check) · confidence: under review

Are Poppers Legal? Every state and federal law

Delaware Poppers ban status: ban in force

QuietNo pending legislation, deadlines or enforcement actions on file for Poppers in Delaware.
Federal
Federal consumer-product ban on alkyl nitrites (15 U.S.C. 2057a, 2057b) (effective 1989-02-16). State-law reading underneath: Gray area.
Rule type
permanent
Tier
Consumption restricted

What the record says

Delaware has no statute that names alkyl nitrites. Its inhalant law, 11 Del. C. 627, is generic: it bars intentionally smelling or inhaling the vapors or fumes from any substance having the property of releasing vapors or fumes for the purpose of producing intoxication, inebriation, exhilaration, stupefaction or lethargy or dulling the brain or nervous system; selling or offering to sell any product containing such a substance when the seller knows or should know it will be used for that purpose; and purchasing for that purpose. A violation is an unclassified misdemeanor, and medical or dental anesthesia is excepted. The text would reach a volatile nitrite only through its general words, and no Delaware definition, Attorney General opinion or court decision applying it to nitrites by name was found, so the row is recorded as a catch-all restriction under review. Delaware’s controlled-substance schedules (16 Del. C. ch. 47, subch. II) list no nitrite. Federal law treats volatile alkyl nitrites sold as consumer products for inhalation as banned hazardous products (see the federal row).

Controlling language, verbatim

(2) Sell or offer to sell to any person any material, product or article of commerce containing any substance having a property of releasing vapors or fumes, if the person has knowledge or is in the possession of such facts that the person should have knowledge that the material, product or article of commerce sold or offered will be used for the purpose of committing any of the acts proscribed in paragraph (1) of this section;

Source of excerpt

Citations

  1. 11 Del. C. 627 Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes (Delaware Legislature (Delaware Code Online), 2026-10-31) PRIMARYOFFICIAL
  2. 16 Del. C. ch. 47 subch. II (schedules) (Delaware Legislature (Delaware Code Online), 2026-10-31)OFFICIAL
  3. LAPPA, Inhalants: Summary of State Laws (April 2026), lead only (Legislative Analysis and Public Policy Association, 2026-10-31)OFFICIAL
  4. 15 U.S.C. 2057b Banning of isopropal nitrite and other nitrites (federal overlay) (Office of the Law Revision Counsel, 2026-10-31)OFFICIAL

Where Poppers (alkyl nitrites) stands across the country

LegalRestrictedGray areaIllegalNot yet verified

Among Delaware’s 3 neighbors, Maryland, New Jersey and Pennsylvania are illegal, the same posture as Delaware.

Open the interactive map · Every compound in Delaware · Where Poppers are banned · Inhalant ban in Delaware · Embed this map

Federal posture

Federally scheduled or prohibited. Federal consumer-product ban on alkyl nitrites (15 U.S.C. 2057a, 2057b) Federal detail

Verbatim law on file for Delaware

8 instruments on file for this compound’s framework in Delaware; 4 of 4 citations above are official sources. Each text carries its source and a fingerprint that changes when the law does.

11 Del. C. 627 · Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes; unclassified misdemeanorOFFICIAL
Instrument
Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes; unclassified misdemeanor
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title11/Title11.pdf
Retrieved
2026-10-31
Fingerprint
fc995e99130d1528
§ 627. Prohibited acts as to substances releasing vapors or fumes; unclassified misdemeanor.
    No person shall:
       (1) Intentionally smell or inhale the vapors or fumes from any substance having the property of releasing vapors or fumes for the
    purpose of producing a condition of intoxication, inebriation, exhilaration, stupefaction or lethargy or for the purpose of dulling the
    brain or nervous system; provided, that nothing in this section shall prohibit the inhalation of the vapors or fumes of any anesthesia
    for medical or dental purposes;
       (2) Sell or offer to sell to any person any material, product or article of commerce containing any substance having a property of
    releasing vapors or fumes, if the person has knowledge or is in the possession of such facts that the person should have knowledge
    that the material, product or article of commerce sold or offered will be used for the purpose of committing any of the acts proscribed
    in paragraph (1) of this section;
       (3) Purchase or offer to purchase for the person or any other person any material, product or article of commerce containing any
    substance having the property of releasing vapors and fumes if such purchase or offer to purchase is made for the purpose of committing
    any of the acts proscribed in paragraph (1) of this section.
    Any violation of this section shall be an unclassified misdemeanor.
    (11 Del. C. 1953, § 627; 58 Del. Laws, c. 497, § 1; 65 Del. Laws, c. 286, § 1; 67 Del. Laws, c. 130, § 8; 70 Del. Laws, c. 186, §
     1.)
16 Del. C. § 4714(d) · Schedule I hallucinogenic substances (official text)OFFICIAL
Instrument
Schedule I hallucinogenic substances (official text)
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc02/index.html
Retrieved
2026-11-01
Fingerprint
63a589661f1aa4be
(d) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(4) Bufotenine;

(5) Diethyltryptamine;

(6) Dimethyltryptamine;
16 Del. C. 4701(7), 4701(10) and 4754(a)-(b) · Controlled substance and designer drug definitions with the drug dealing offense (three verbatim passages, separated by blank lines)OFFICIAL
Instrument
Controlled substance and designer drug definitions with the drug dealing offense (three verbatim passages, separated by blank lines)
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc01/index.html
Retrieved
2026-11-06
Fingerprint
05b1a0d18c907015
(7) “Controlled substance” means a drug, substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V of subchapter II of this chapter. For purposes of the crimes set forth in subchapters IV and V of this chapter, and of forfeiture set forth in § 4784 of this title, “controlled substance” includes "designer drug", as defined in paragraph (10) of this section.

(10) "Designer drug" means a substance that has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance or that was specifically designed to or may produce an effect substantially similar to that of a controlled substance. Examples of chemical classes in which "designer drugs" are found include, but are not limited to, the following: Phenethylamines, N-substituted piperidines, morphinans, ecgonines, quinazolinones, substituted indoles, arylcycloalkylamines, cannabinoids, cathinones, and any synthetic analogue of a controlled substance. "Designer drug" does not include any substance that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with an approved new drug application, or an exemption for investigating use within the meaning of § 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 355), or that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with a registration issued by the Attorney General of the United States within the meaning of §§ 301–304 of the Federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 821-824).

(a) Except as authorized by this chapter, it is unlawful for any person to manufacture, deliver, or possess with the intent to manufacture or deliver a controlled substance.

(b) Violation of subsection (a) of this section is a class D felony.
Show 5 more laws on file
16 Del. C. 4714(d) (Schedule I) · Schedule I (Sec. 4714): subsection (d) hallucinogenic substancesOFFICIAL
Instrument
Schedule I (Sec. 4714): subsection (d) hallucinogenic substances
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc02/index.html
Retrieved
2026-10-31
Fingerprint
849541c78e03f622
(d) Any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following hallucinogenic substances, their salts, isomers and salts of isomers, unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers, and salts of isomers is possible within the specific chemical designation:

(1) 3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;

(2) 5-methoxy-3,4-methylenedioxy amphetamine;

(3) 3,4,5-trimethoxy amphetamine;

(4) Bufotenine;

(5) Diethyltryptamine;

(6) Dimethyltryptamine;

(7) 4-methyl-2,5-dimethoxylamphetamine;

(8) Ibogaine;

(9) Lysergic acid diethylamide;

(10) Mescaline;

(11) Peyote;

(12) N-ethyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

(13) N-methyl-3-piperidyl benzilate;

(14) Psilocybin;

(15) Psilocyn;

(16) Thiophene Analog of Phencyclidine;

(17) Ethylamine Analog of Phencyclidine;

(18) Pyrrolidine Analog of Phencyclidine;

(19) Any material, compound, combination, mixture, synthetic substitute or preparation which contains any quantity of marijuana or any tetrahydrocannabinols, their salts, isomers or salts of isomers and is not approved for use by the US Food and Drug Administration;

(20) Parahexyl

(21) 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), its optical, positional and geometric isomers, salts and salts of isomers;

(22) 2, 5-Dimethoxy-4-ethylamphetamine (DOET);

(23) Alpha-ethyltrytamine;

(24) Salvia divinorum;

(25) Salvinorin A; and

(26) [Repealed.]
16 Del. C. 4714(h) · Schedule IOFFICIAL
Instrument
Schedule I
Source
https://www.legis.delaware.gov/SessionLaws/Chapter?id=42249
Retrieved
2026-11-01
Fingerprint
469c782a382aede5
(h) Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation that contains any quantity of tianeptine including its salts, isomers and salts of isomers unless specifically excepted, whenever the existence of these salts, isomers and salts of isomers is possible.
16 Del. C. 4718(a) through (k) · Schedule III: subsections (a) through (k), ending with (k) ketamineOFFICIAL
Instrument
Schedule III: subsections (a) through (k), ending with (k) ketamine
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc02/index.html
Retrieved
2026-10-31
Fingerprint
f101d88f31e0110b
(a) The controlled substances listed in this section are included in Schedule III.

(b) Unless specifically excepted or unless listed in another schedule, any compound, mixture or preparation containing limited quantities of any stimulant drugs or any salts, isomers or salts of isomers thereof and 1 or more active medicinal ingredients not having a stimulant effect on the central nervous system and in such combinations, quantity, proportion or concentration that reduce the potential abuse of the substances which have a stimulant effect on the central nervous system.

(c) Unless listed in another schedule, any material, compound, mixture or preparation which contains any quantity of the following substances having a potential for abuse associated with a depressant effect on the central nervous system:

(1) Any substance which contains any quantity of a derivative of barbituric acid, or any salt of a derivative of barbituric acid, except those substances which are specifically listed in other schedules;

(2) Chlorhexadol;

(3) Lysergic acid;

(4) Lysergic acid amide;

(5) Methyprylon;

(6) [Rescheduled];

(7) Sulfondiethylmethane;

(8) Sulfonethylmethane; and

(9) Sulfonmethane.

(d) Nalorphine.

(e) Any material, compound, mixture, or preparation containing limited quantities of any of the following narcotic drugs, or any salts thereof:

(1) Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with an equal or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium;

(2) Not more than 1.8 grams of codeine, or any of its salts, per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with 1 or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(3) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone, or any of its salts, per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with a fourfold or greater quantity of an isoquinoline alkaloid of opium;

(4) Not more than 300 milligrams of dihydrocodeinone, or any of its salts, per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with 1 or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(5) Not more than 1.8 grams of dihydrocodeine, or any of its salts, per 100 milliliters or not more than 90 milligrams per dosage unit, with 1 or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(6) Not more than 300 milligrams of ethylmorphine, or any of its salts, per 100 milliliters or not more than 15 milligrams per dosage unit, with 1 or more ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts;

(7) Not more than 500 milligrams of opium per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams or not more than 25 milligrams per dosage unit with 1 or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts; and

(8) Not more than 50 milligrams of morphine or any of its salts per 100 milliliters or per 100 grams with 1 or more active, nonnarcotic ingredients in recognized therapeutic amounts.

(f) Anabolic steroids and combinations:

(1) Boldenone;

(2) Chlorotestosterone (4-dihydrotestosterone);

(3) Clostebol;

(4) Dehydrochlormethyltestosterone;

(5) Dihydrotestosterone (4-dihydrotestosterone);

(6) Drostanolone;

(7) Ethylestrenol;

(8) Fluoxymesterone;

(9) Formebulone (formebulone);

(10) Mesterolone;

(11) Methandienone;

(12) Methandranone;

(13) Methandriol;

(14) Methandrostenolone;

(15) Methenolone;

(16) Methyltestosterone;

(17) Mibolerone;

(18) Nandrolone;

(19) Norethandrolone;

(20) Oxandrolone;

(21) Oxymesterone;

(22) Oxymetholone;

(23) Stanolone;

(24) Stanozolol;

(25) Testolactone;

(26) Testosterone;

(27) Trenbolone; and

(28) Any salt, ester, or isomer of a drug or substance described or listed in this paragraph, if that salt, ester, or isomer promotes muscle growth.

(g) Clortermine.

(h) Benzphetamine.

(i) Chlorphentermine.

(j) Phendametrazine.

(k) Ketamine.
16 Del. C. Sec. 4701(7)-(10) · Definitions: controlled substance and designer drugOFFICIAL
Instrument
Definitions: controlled substance and designer drug
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc01/index.html
Retrieved
2026-11-01
Fingerprint
786d9c8250669d29
(7) “Controlled substance” means a drug, substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V of subchapter II of this chapter. For purposes of the crimes set forth in subchapters IV and V of this chapter, and of forfeiture set forth in § 4784 of this title, “controlled substance” includes "designer drug", as defined in paragraph (10) of this section.
(8) “Counterfeit controlled substance” means a controlled substance which, or the container or labeling of which, without authorization, bears the trademark, trade name, or other identifying mark, imprint, number or device or any likeness thereof, of a manufacturer, distributor or dispenser other than the person who in fact manufactured, distributed or dispensed the substance.
(9) "Deliver" or “delivery” means the actual, constructive or attempted transfer from one person to another of a controlled substance, whether or not there is an agency relationship.
(10) "Designer drug" means a substance that has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance or that was specifically designed to or may produce an effect substantially similar to that of a controlled substance. Examples of chemical classes in which "designer drugs" are found include, but are not limited to, the following: Phenethylamines, N-substituted piperidines, morphinans, ecgonines, quinazolinones, substituted indoles, arylcycloalkylamines, cannabinoids, cathinones, and any synthetic analogue of a controlled substance. "Designer drug" does not include any substance that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with an approved new drug application, or an exemption for investigating use within the meaning of § 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. § 355), or that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with a registration issued by the Attorney General of the United States within the meaning of §§ 301–304 of the Federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. §§ 821-824).
16 Del. C. Sec. 4701(7), (10) · Uniform Controlled Substances Act - Definitions (Controlled substance; Designer drug)OFFICIAL
Instrument
Uniform Controlled Substances Act - Definitions (Controlled substance; Designer drug)
Source
https://delcode.delaware.gov/title16/c047/sc01/index.html
Retrieved
2026-07-20
Fingerprint
05e12a90636e64b4
(7) Controlled substance means a drug, substance or immediate precursor in Schedules I through V of subchapter II of this chapter. For purposes of the crimes set forth in subchapters IV and V of this chapter, and of forfeiture set forth in Section 4784 of this title, controlled substance includes designer drug, as defined in paragraph (10) of this section. (10) Designer drug means a substance that has a chemical structure substantially similar to that of a controlled substance or that was specifically designed to or may produce an effect substantially similar to that of a controlled substance. Examples of chemical classes in which designer drugs are found include, but are not limited to, the following: Phenethylamines, N-substituted piperidines, morphinans, ecgonines, quinazolinones, substituted indoles, arylcycloalkylamines, cannabinoids, cathinones, and any synthetic analogue of a controlled substance. Designer drug does not include any substance that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with an approved new drug application, or an exemption for investigating use within the meaning of Section 505 of the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act (21 U.S.C. Section 355), or that was manufactured, delivered or dispensed in conformance with a registration issued by the Attorney General of the United States within the meaning of Sections 301–304 of the Federal Controlled Substances Act (21 U.S.C. Sections 821-824).

Poppers (alkyl nitrites) in neighboring states

Poppers in 47 other states

Closest to Poppers in Delaware

Same framework in Delaware

23 other compounds in Delaware

Cite this page

Compound Analytics. “Are Poppers (alkyl nitrites) Legal in Delaware? Updated Nov 2026.” Compound Laws, https://compoundlaws.com/compounds/poppers/delaware/. Accessed November 13, 2026.

Compound Laws, published by Compound Analytics, reports the record: statutes verbatim, official citations, enforcement facts and verification dates. Nothing here is legal advice and nothing here describes how to get around a law. A jurisdiction with no verified row is reported as not yet verified, never as legal. Found an error? Corrections policy.

About · Methodology · Glossary · Changes · RSS · Data licensing · llms.txt · Sitemap