A bill that classifies abortion pills as controlled substances, making their possession without a prescription a criminal offense, has been passed by Louisiana lawmakers. Named the “Catherine and Josephine Herring Act,” the legislation is intended to escalate penalties against those who force abortions and is not expected to lead to criminal prosecution of women seeking abortions.
The bill will now head to Republican Governor Jeff Landry’s desk to be ratified. The law would categorize mifepristone and misoprostol, pills commonly used to induce chemical abortions, as Schedule IV drugs according to Louisiana’s Uniform Controlled Dangerous Substances law. If sanctioned, the possession of these abortion drugs without appropriate prescription could result in hefty fines and incarceration of up to ten years.
Despite attempted opposition from high-profile pro-abortion figures, including US Vice President Kamala Harris, the law’s impact will be relatively limited. Current laws in Louisiana already necessitate a prescription for both abortion drugs and deem their use for inducing abortions illegal in most cases. However, the new law will not impose criminal penalties on women who have obtained these pills unlawfully. Critics argue that the classification of these drugs might jeopardize women who require the medication for miscarriage treatment, while supporters emphasize that the drugs will only be unlawful without a prescription.
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