South Carolina medical cannabis voter guide published

Last update: October 5, 2020

South Carolina voters are already casting their ballots for the General Election. While medical cannabis isn’t on the ballot — South Carolina lacks an initiative process — the entire state legislature will be, making this election critical to whether the state enacts a compassionate medical cannabis law.

Before you cast your votes, check out MPP’s medical cannabis voter guide.

First, look up your state legislative districts here. Then, check out our voter guides for South Carolina Senate races and South Carolina House races. (If one or more of your candidates hasn’t responded, ask them if they agree that seriously ill patients should be allowed to use and safely access medical cannabis when it’s recommended by a physician.)

Finally, if you’re a registered South Carolina voter, make a plan to vote. This year, South Carolina is letting all voters vote absentee due to COVID-19 (by selecting “State of Emergency” as the reason).

• In-person absentee voting began on October 5 and lasts until 5:00 p.m. Monday, November 2. Locations can be found here. Voters must present a voter ID when voting in person and should wear a mask.
• Voters can also cast an absentee ballot by mail or personal delivery to their county voter registration office. If you choose this approach, first carefully review the requirements on timing and procedure.
• Alternatively, voters can vote at their precinct on Election Day, Tuesday, November 3 from 7 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Coronavirus slows progress on medical cannabis in South Carolina

On January 14, 2020, the South Carolina Legislature returned for the second year of its two-year legislative session. In the next two months, the House 3M subcommittee held two hearings on H. 3660 and scheduled another committee meeting on the bill on March 25. Meanwhile, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee scheduled a March 19 hearing on S. 366.

Unfortunately, both hearings were cancelled as the legislature began to furlough to stem the spread of the novel coronavirus. The legislature adjourned on May 12, after suspending most of its work. It will meet for one or more special sessions, but it appears all but certain that medical cannabis efforts will be delayed until 2021.

With this year being an election year, we need your help to make sure that next year’s legislature is committed to standing up for suffering patients who could benefit from medical cannabis. Check out MPP’s voter guide, spread the word, and make sure you’re signed up for MPP’s free email alerts. And consider engaging with candidates for state House and state Senate in your district to let them know suffering patients deserve safe, legal access to this important medicine.

If you are a resident of South Carolina, make sure your lawmakers know of your continued support. Please also let us know if you are a patient who could benefit from medical cannabis, or a supportive medical professional, clergy member, 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.