Ruling makes morning-after pill available for women under 17

CHARLOTTE, N.C. — All women will now be able to get the controversial morning-after pill.

A New York federal judge made the ruling Friday and it even makes the pill available without a prescription.

As mom to two little girls, Malia Grant was not happy to hear about the ruling.

"Kinda disappointed and saddened that that is the case," Grant said.

The ruling means the Food and Drug Administration will allow girls under the age of 17 to buy Plan B, or the morning-after pill, without a prescription.

Currently, women have to be 17 or older to get it. Grant said it gives young women the wrong idea.

"It's teaching our children that no matter, you know, mistakes, decisions that they make, that they can, you know, immediately take care of it or whatever, there's no responsibility," Grant said.

The judge's decision goes against the president and his secretary of health, who both want age restrictions on the morning-after pill.

"We don't have enough evidence to show that all those who could use this medicine, Plan B, can understand the label and use the product appropriately," White House spokesman Jay Carney said.

Charlotte pharmacist Jesse Pike agrees.

"The younger the patient may be in seek of the morning-after pill, the more there is need for counseling and advising about its use," Pike said.

Pike said he expects an appeal by the government.

Meanwhile, Grant said she'll make sure she has constant communication with her daughters...

"I think it just makes that role as a parent and teaching them those morals and virtues just that much more important," Grant said.

The ruling means the pill could be available within 30 days.

The Justice Department didn't immediately say whether it would appeal the ruling, saying it's "reviewing the decision and evaluating the government's options."