South Carolina medical cannabis bill out of committee; help it get a floor vote

Last update: April 20, 2021

“The medicine that saves my life every day is illegal in South Carolina. I am asking my fellow South Carolinians, please support your veterans by asking your legislators to support compassionate legislation to bring this relief to everyone who needs it.”

— J., a female South Carolina veteran with PTSD and a severely painful kidney condition that medical cannabis has dramatically helped

South Carolina is one of only 14 states that does not allow the medical use of cannabis. Veterans, medical professionals, and other patients and loved ones are pleading with South Carolina lawmakers to put an end to this injustice and pass the S.C. Compassionate Care Act (S. 150 and H. 3361), sponsored by Sen. Tom Davis (R) and Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R).

The Senate Medical Affairs Committee advanced S. 150 on March 31. Now it’s time to get it a floor vote.

Please send your state legislators an email to let them know that, after six long years, it’s past time medical cannabis get a floor vote.

To go the extra mile, please write Senate Majority Leader Massey to ask him to call S. 150 for debate. You can also check out and share this video about veterans’ need for medical cannabis.

South Carolina’s cross-over deadline was April 10, which means the chances of S. 150 becoming law this year are very slim. But, the Senate can still debate and pass the bill this year. Then, the bill would be poised for action in the House next year, the second year of a two-year legislative session.

On November 3, 2020, a supermajority of Mississippi voters approved a broad citizens’ initiative to allow medical cannabis. Mississippi joins 35 other states, including Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana, and Virginia. While polls show even stronger popular support for medical cannabis in South Carolina, the Palmetto State doesn’t have a citizen initiative process, and the state legislature has failed to act on this popular issue.

Please also let us know if you are a patient who could benefit from medical cannabis, or a supportive medical professional, clergy member, veteran, or current or former member of law enforcement.

South Carolina medical professionals, patients, and veterans gathered in the Capitol rotunda on January 22, 2020 for a press conference to call on the legislature to adopt a compassionate medical cannabis program. Margaret Richardson, pictured above in red, suffers from trigeminal neuralgia.
(Source: WCBDNews 2)

Take action!

Speak out: If you live in South Carolina, please email your lawmakers in support of compassionate comprehensive medical marijuana legislation. 

Contact us: If you are interested in getting more involved and are a person with a serious illness, doctor, nurse, clergy member, Ph.D., lawyer, or other influential member of your community, please email state@mpp.org and be sure to include your address or zip code.

Stay connected: To stay updated on the status of marijuana policy reform in South Carolina, be sure to subscribe to MPP’s email alerts.