medical marijuana Archives - South Carolina FYI

A medical cannabis program in South Carolina likely won’t become law this year despite polling favorably amongst South Carolina voters. The bill, SB 366, has been introduced by Senator Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, for a few years running now, and despite gaining some media attention this year, did not have the gas to make it to the Senate floor for full debate.

As in previous years, the law enforcement and medical communities stood as the bills most staunch opponents. Mark Keel, SLED Chief, has long stood against any medical cannabis program not endorsed by the federal government and regulated by the FDA. A firm believer that a medical cannabis program will open doors to recreational drug abuse in the Palmetto State, Keel also has Governor McMaster’s ear – who has promised he will veto any legislation that does make it through the Legislature. McMaster’s promise to veto means the bill will have to achieve a two-thirds favorable vote in order to become law in South Carolina.

Advocates of a medical cannabis program in South Carolina are growing increasingly frustrated as neighboring, conservative-leaning states like Florida and Georgia pass their own versions of medical cannabis programs in 2019. As many as 33 other states in the U.S. have legalized some form of medical cannabis for certain disabilities and conditions.

Despite the bill failing to receive a vote on the floor of the Senate this year, legislators, issue advocacy groups and the public are starting to pay more and more attention to the issue – a promising sign for those hopeful to see the bill discussed by state lawmakers. For example, the Marijuana Policy Project was active in the Palmetto State for the first time this year, hiring two lobbyists to help advance the cause with state lawmakers. Other local advocacy groups, like SC Compassionate Care, and the South Carolina Cannabis Association were active this year, but probably didn’t do enough to engage the favorably-polling public on the issue.

It remains to be seen if a grassroots campaign will be the focus in 2020.

As of late, medical marijuana has been a hot topic in the state of South Carolina. And yesterday, the South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee met for the first time to discuss new legislation.

They met to review a new bill introduced by Senator Tom Davis, who is also the chairman of the subcommittee, which would make cannabis legal for people with terminal, debilitating medical conditions that could be treated with opiods. The new bill would allow patients to purchase two ounces of marijuana every two weeks if prescribed by a doctor.

This meeting was the first obstacle it has to overcome as it tries to make its way to the Senate floor.

As reported by The Post and Courier, lawmakers reviewed the legislation and have decided to hold the bill in committee while they wait to hear testimony from others. Lawmakers hope to hear from supporters of the bill, the medical community, and law enforcement officials who are hesitant of the bill.

Davis plans to implement suggestions made by stakeholders to the bill before moving forward. One of those suggestions is that smoking cannabis would not be covered under the bill. He also urged others on the subcommittee to investigate other medical conditions which might be covered and include a sales tax.

To read more about the meeting and what law enforcement officials have to say, visit The Post and Courier.