Louisiana Governor Signs Law Classifying Abortion Pills as Controlled Substances

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has signed a bill into law that classifies abortion pills, mifepristone and misoprostol, as controlled substances, placing them in the same category as opioids. The law, effective October 1, makes it illegal to possess these drugs without a prescription, with penalties including up to five years in prison. The bill also introduces the crime of "coerced criminal abortion," with severe penalties for those who fraudulently use abortion-inducing drugs on unsuspecting pregnant women. The legislation follows a personal incident involving state Sen. Thomas Pressly's family and coincides with a pending Supreme Court case that could impact nationwide access to mifepristone.