Louisiana lawmakers vote to make abortion pills controlled substances
Louisiana lawmakers passed legislation Thursday making the state the first in the nation to designate abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances. Possession of the drugs without a prescription would be a crime punishable by prison time and thousands of dollars in fines.The legislation, which passed the state Senate by a vote of 29-7, now goes to Gov. Jeff Landry, a Republican who previously defended the state's strict abortion ban in court as attorney general. You are expected to sign it.By classifying the abortion pills mifepristone and misoprostol as Schedule IV drugs — a category of drugs with some potential for abuse or addiction that includes Ambien, Valium and Xanax, among others — state lawmakers say they aim to curb the illicit distribution of the drugs for abortions. ...