Louisiana Becomes First State to Classify Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances

Louisiana's new law reclassifies abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV controlled substances, making it a crime to possess them without a prescription and increasing oversight. This adds to the state's near-total abortion ban, complicating access for residents and potentially deterring doctors from prescribing them. Pregnant women are exempt from prosecution, but others who assist them are not. The law could face legal challenges for potentially violating state constitutional rights and conflicting with federal policies. Similar laws may emerge in other states.