S.C. legislature adjourns without passing medical cannabis, vote promised in 2022

Last update: May 13, 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, but the bill wasn’t called for a vote before the legislature adjourned on May 13, 2021. However, South Carolina has a two-year legislative session, and the bill sponsor — Sen. Tom Davis (R) — secured a commitment from his colleagues to give the S.C. Compassionate Care Act a Senate floor vote early next year. Meanwhile, Gov. Henry McMaster’s stance on medical cannabis is improving. 

Please send your state legislators an email to let them know that, after six long years, it’s past time they pass medical cannabis legislation.

You can also check out and share this video about veterans’ need for medical cannabis.

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. Please include your address or nine-digit zip code so we can figure out who your state legislators are.

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.