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California Governor Gavin Newsom (then Lieutenant Governor) riding in the Golden State Warriors Parade in Oakland, CA, Jun. 12, 2018. (Photo: Amir Aziz/Shutterstock)

Gov. Newsom Announces California Won’t Do Business With Walgreens

Many remain confused over what California ‘being done’ with Walgreens actually means

By Evan Symon, March 6, 2023 6:17 pm

California Governor Gavin Newsom announced on Monday that the state will no longer do business with the pharmacy chain Walgreens following their decision to no longer sell an abortion pill in 20 states after attorney generals from those states threatened legal action.

For the last several years, Walgreens got a little shaky in the Golden State. Waves of store closures in places like San Francisco due to crime were widely condemned due to many of the closures coming in places where it would otherwise be very hard for some people to get prescriptions and other necessities. But neither California nor the drug store chain did anything considered “extreme” to the other.

However, all that was soon to change following last years’ Supreme Court decision Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization, which officially reversed Roe v. Wade and sent states scrambling over where they set the law at with abortion. While California quickly declared it is  an abortion sanctuary state and passed laws furthering abortion rights in the state, other states added restrictions against abortion. This included going after the sale of abortion medication at pharmacies.

Last month, attorneys general from 20 states that were in favor of more restrictions sent a letter to Walgreens warning them of legal action if they would continue to sell abortion medication in their stores or by mail in their respective states. After some initial confusion, Walgreens agreed to not sell abortion pills in Florida, Texas, Ohio, Georgia, and the 16 other states threatening to challenge them.

While the matter seemed to be settled, with Walgreens establishing the decision on what to sell based on local and state laws, the situation only furthered the ire of Governor Newsom. In a tweet slamming the company, Newsom announced on Monday, “California won’t be doing business with Walgreens or any company that cowers to the extremists and puts women’s lives at risk. We’re done.”

Following confusion by many on what that exactly meant, Newsom’s office clarified later in the day, “California is reviewing all relationships between Walgreens and the state. We will not pursue business with companies that cave to right wing bullies pushing their extremist agenda or companies that put politics above the health of women and girls.”

In a return statement, Walgreens responded by saying that they would still be selling abortion medication where legal to do so once they are certified by the FDA.

“Walgreens said it plans to sell mifepristone in any jurisdiction where it is legally permissible to do so,” said the company on Monday. “Once we are certified by the FDA, we will dispense this medication consistent with federal and state laws.”

Confusion over what California not doing business with Walgreens means

However, Newsom left many wondering what the Governor had in mind with the state “being done” with the company and what it would mean for Walgreens in California going forward.

“Any state agreements between the state Government and Walgreens are probably going to be looked at right now, and any future business, like any contracts with them, are probably a no go at this point,” explained Roger Springer, a former executive with two companies that helped negotiate contracts with local and county governments, to the Globe on Monday. “For those of you thinking that he will order all Walgreens to order the state, relax, that cannot happen for dozens of reasons.”

“Same with, say, ordering state Medicare to not be accepted at Walgreens for, say, medication. If anything like that was declared, you’d have judges blocking it within 24 hours, as well as it being political suicide. But what will be reviewed are contracts and business dealings with Walgreens itself. Those are in danger, and can probably easily go to CVS.”

“And what people aren’t looking at is the effect on the company and Californians. Many in the state might stop shopping there out of solidarity with the Governor. A lot of stores here are already not eaxactly on the best ground, so many could be at risk. Likewise, Walgreens may decide it’s not worth keeping some under-performing stores open here and pull out, with Newsom’s announcement and it’s effects being the straw that broke the camel’s back.”

“But that’s speculation. Right now, all we know is that Newsom is now looking for ways to have the state stop doing business with Walgreens over the abortion pills. We’ll see exactly what that means and what Walgreens will do to prevent that from happening. Honestly, Walgreens was put between a rock and a hard place. And if other states join California, Walgreens may need to make a big decision on their business practices nationwide.”

More details on what the Governor said are expected soon.

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Evan Symon
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8 thoughts on “Gov. Newsom Announces California Won’t Do Business With Walgreens

  1. Gov. Newsom is like a petty Marxist dictator who bullies any company that dares to stop or merely pause the leftist Democrat agenda of slaughtering babies.

  2. Newsom needs to be brought before a tribunal and be held accountable for his many crimes against humanity such as locking healthy Californians and small businesses down (while excluding himself and his cronies) during the scamdemic, for mandating experimental mRNA shots that have injured and killed thousands of innocent Californians, and for making California a mecca for killing babies. He and his wretched soul a lot to answer for?

  3. Oooh, mean bully Newsom dictates how a business will conduct itself especially when it comes to the killing of
    pre born babies!
    ….”will not do business with companies that cower to extremists”
    Look in the mirror Gov Gav. you are the extremist!
    He prioritizes Death over Life, enough said!
    He is one sicko!

  4. Wonder how many babies Newsom’s wife got rid? She was a failed actress and a good buddy of disgraced producer Harvey Weinstein with whom she sent a email to seeking advice about one of Newsom’s extramarital affairs.

    1. I know what a low life she felt the need to seek help from her rapist!!
      She knew it could provide her the life she was looking for. Just creepy.

  5. It sound like a typical democrat trying to force the private sector to do what it is illegal for the public sector to do: mainly blackmail a private company to break the laws of other states.
    This is why democrats hate states. They want all power at the national level where the guns and bayonets are.

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