Louisiana
New lawsuit challenges Louisiana's classification of abortion pills as 'controlled substances'
The Summary
- A new lawsuit challenges Louisiana’s classification of abortion medications as controlled dangerous substances.
- The suit alleges that the law creates barriers for health care workers who need to administer the pills — which have other uses besides abortions — quickly in an emergency.
- Louisiana bans most abortions, with limited exceptions.
A group of Louisiana health care providers and reproductive rights advocates are suing the state over a new law that classifies abortion pills as controlled dangerous substances.
The law went into effect a month ago and puts mifepristone and misoprostol — the two pills involved in a medication abortion — on Louisiana’s list of “Schedule IV” drugs. The category also includes certain stimulants, sedatives and opioids.
It’s the first time a state has classified abortion pills as controlled substances.
In Louisiana, abortion is largely banned, so the law has not had a major impact on abortion access. However, abortions are allowed in some exceptional circumstances, and doctors often prescribe mifepristone and misoprostol off-label to manage a miscarriage. Misoprostol on its own is approved, as well, to prevent stomach ulcers.
In Louisiana, classifying the medications as Schedule IV drugs means that doctors must have a special license to prescribe them and hospitals are required to store the pills in a secure location, according to Allison Zimmer, an attorney representing the plaintiffs. Anyone who possesses the medications without a prescription could face a fine of up to $5,000 and up to five years in jail. (The law includes a broad exception, however, for pregnant women who possess the medications for their own consumption.)
The new lawsuit, filed Thursday, alleges that the law could create barriers for health care workers who need to administer mifepristone and misoprostol quickly in an emergency, thereby delaying patients’ access to the pills and creating a risk of harm. The complaint also says the law discriminates against people who need the medications, since patients with similarly severe medical needs aren’t subject to the same delays if they need other drugs. It seeks to prevent the law from being enforced.
“What it will do is just make it more dangerous to be pregnant or to have a variety of physical conditions,” Zimmer said.
The plaintiffs include a doctor, pharmacist, two reproductive rights advocates and the Birthmark Doula Collective — a doula practice that advocates for pregnant people in Louisiana. It names the state, the attorney general, the board of pharmacy and the board of medical examiners as defendants.
“The law is supposed to prevent misuse of the medications, but the real aim is to make abortion harder to access,” said Nancy Davis, one of the two advocates who brought the suit.
According to the American College of Medical Toxicology, mifepristone and misoprostol do not meet the definition of a controlled substance. The association warned in September that labeling the pills as such was “not consistent with decades of scientific evidence” and set a dangerous precedent of “politicizing pharmaceutical regulation.”
But Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill maintained support for the law on Friday.
“I’m confident this law is constitutional. We will vigorously defend it,” Murrill said in a statement.
In Louisiana, abortions are allowed only in cases where a fetus is not expected to survive, or if ending a pregnancy could save a pregnant person’s life or prevent serious risk to their health.
Zimmer said the new classification for abortion pills is “an example of the state trying to demonstrate as much as possible that it is an anti-abortion state.”
The law came about as a response to a particular case in Texas involving Louisiana Sen. Thomas Pressly’s sister Catherine Herring, whose husband was accused of slipping abortion pills into her drinks. The baby survived, and Herring’s husband pleaded guilty to charges of injury to a child and assault of a pregnant person. The Louisiana law established a crime known as “coerced abortion” — intentionally giving a pregnant woman abortion pills without her knowledge or consent.
“Ms. Herring’s courageous testimony illustrated that easy access to these drugs can be dangerous to pregnant women and exposes women to the risks of coercion, abuse, and criminal behavior,” Murrill said in a statement.
When Pressly originally introduced the bill, it did not include a classification of abortion pills as controlled substances — that was added later as an amendment, which Pressly said at the time was another step “to control the rampant illegal distribution of abortion-inducing drugs that ended up hurting my sister.”
But the new lawsuit alleges that the amendment isn’t clearly connected to the original bill and suggests that the law should be struck down altogether. Zimmer said the amendment was added “very, very late in the legislative process, at such a late date that there wasn’t a public hearing.”
The lawsuit says that Davis and another plaintiff in the suit, Kaitlyn Joshua, did not get an opportunity to testify in front of lawmakers before the law passed.
Joshua, a 32-year-old Baton Rouge resident, said she was turned away from two emergency rooms in 2022 after she started miscarrying at around 11 weeks. She worries that the policy could lead more women in Louisiana — particularly Black women — to be denied care like she was.
“This current law I know is going to disproportionately affect women that look like me, that already live in maternal health care deserts,” Joshua said.
PENSACOLA, Fla. — Marcavia Shavers posts 21 points and 13 rebounds to lead ULM Warhawks women’s basketball past Louisiana 79-63 in the Sun Belt Conference tournament.
ULM (15-15, 7-11 Sun Belt) took control early, outscoring Louisiana 17-7 in the first quarter and extending the lead to 41-21 by halftime. The Warhawks never trailed and led by as many as 28 points in the second quarter.
Shavers anchored the inside for ULM, finishing 9-of-15 from the field with 13 rebounds. Jazmine Jackson added 17 points off the bench, knocking down four 3-pointers, while J’Mani Ingram scored 16 points and dished out six assists.
ULM shot 46.9% from the field and held a 42-27 advantage on the boards. The Warhawks also converted Louisiana turnovers into 29 points and scored 26 second-chance points.
Louisiana (5-26, 2-16 Sun Belt) was led by Mikaylah Manley with 18 points and Imani Daniel with 17 points and seven rebounds. Amijah Price chipped in 12 points.
After struggling early, Louisiana shot better in the second half, scoring 42 points after the break. However, the early deficit proved too much to overcome.
ULM advances in the Sun Belt tournament, while Louisiana closes its season with the loss.
————————————————————
Stay in touch with us anytime, anywhere.
To reach the newsroom or report a typo/correction, click HERE.
Sign up for newsletters emailed to your inbox. Select from these options: Breaking News, Evening News Headlines, Latest COVID-19 Headlines, Morning News Headlines, Special Offers
Like us on Facebook
Follow us on Instagram
Subscribe to our Youtube channel
BATON ROUGE (KNOE) – Louisiana State Treasurer John Fleming is accusing Governor Jeff Landry of interfering with the state Senate race, which Fleming is a part of.
Fleming took to social media to accuse Landry of working “behind the scenes” to get Congresswoman Julia Letlow elected to the Senate.
According to Fleming, Dr. Ralph Abraham offered him the position of Deputy Director of the CDC shortly before announcing he was stepping down. Fleming said he politely declined.
A week later, news broke that Abraham is now leading Letlow’s Senate campaign.
“We know that Jeff has been heavily lobbying the Trump campaign team for the endorsement, he is pressuring the Republican Party of Louisiana and the Republican Executive Committees to support and endorse Letlow as well,” Fleming wrote on Facebook. “And, he is personally calling his donors to raise big money to save the Letlow campaign.
Landry formally endorsed Letlow for the U.S. Senate on March 4. Letlow also has the endorsement of President Donald Trump.
“We need a warrior who stands with the President to Make America Great. And there’s no greater warrior than a Louisiana mom,” Landry wrote on Facebook.
Fleming continued his commentary, asking when Landry will stop interfering with the state’s Senate race.
“Who is best to decide who represents you in Washington? Jeff Landry, or YOU?” Fleming asked.
Also in the heated race is incumbent Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Party primary elections in Louisiana are set for May 16, 2026.
Copyright 2026 KNOE. All rights reserved.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing
07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing
6-8-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing
3-6-7-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing
0-8-3-2-0
Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.
Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results
Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize
All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.
By mail, follow these instructions:
- Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
- Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
- Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
- Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.
Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:
Louisiana Lottery Headquarters
555 Laurel Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70801
To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:
555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.
Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.
When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?
- Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
- Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
- Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
- Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
- Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.
Andrew McCutchen, 39, and the Texas Rangers agree to a minor league contract, AP source says
22-year-old arrested in Utah in connection to Las Vegas double-homicide
Vermont high school playoff scores, results, stats for Thursday, March 5
Obama calls on voters to help Democrats’ Virginia redistricting ahead of midterm elections
Police finish DoorDash delivery after arresting driver in New Jersey
Florida High School Football Rankings: Top 25 teams – Oct. 21
Cleary's 21 help Le Moyne down Central Connecticut State 69-64 in OT
How old is Bo Nix? What to know about Oregon quarterback ahead of 2024 NFL Draft
99th annual Pony Swim held in Virginia
Indiana Members Credit Union announced as new anchor tenant at Bottleworks District
Map: 4.9-Magnitude Earthquake Shakes Louisiana
Paxton vows he’s ‘staying in this race’ even if Trump backs Cornyn in Texas GOP clash
Which Kurdish groups is the US rallying to fight Iran?
Man accused of plot to assassinate Trump testifies Iran pressured him, says Biden and Haley were other possible targets
DHS defends McLaughlin against allegations husband’s company profited millions from ad contracts: ‘Baseless’
-
World1 week agoExclusive: DeepSeek withholds latest AI model from US chipmakers including Nvidia, sources say
-
Massachusetts1 week agoMother and daughter injured in Taunton house explosion
-
Wisconsin4 days agoSetting sail on iceboats across a frozen lake in Wisconsin
-
Maryland4 days agoAM showers Sunday in Maryland
-
Florida4 days agoFlorida man rescued after being stuck in shoulder-deep mud for days
-
Denver, CO1 week ago10 acres charred, 5 injured in Thornton grass fire, evacuation orders lifted
-
Massachusetts2 days agoMassachusetts man awaits word from family in Iran after attacks
-
Oregon6 days ago2026 OSAA Oregon Wrestling State Championship Results And Brackets – FloWrestling