First, take a minute to look over our talking points and sample script and decide what you want to say. Then, call Senate Majority Leader Massey’s office at (803) 212-6330 to politely and respectfully ask him to arrange for debate on Senate Bill 150, the S.C. Compassionate Care Act.
Here are some pointers for your call:
You will almost certainly be speaking to a staffer, not Sen. Massey.
Be respectful. How you speak to legislators and staff is as important as what you say.
Be succinct. Please be respectful of staffers’ time by getting right to the point.
Be clear. Make sure they know why you’re calling and what you want Sen. Massey to do — arrange a debate on S. 150, the Compassionate Care Act. Stay on topic and focus only on the need to pass medical cannabis legislation. Please do not raise the issue of adult-use legalization.
If you or a loved one have a serious medical condition and could benefit from medical cannabis, consider including that information and what this bill would mean to you. (Qualifying conditions under the bill are listed here.)
Phone number
Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey’s Columbia office: (803) 212-6330
Sample Script:
Good [morning/afternoon]. My name is ______ and I live in _________.
I’m calling to ask Senator Massey to arrange for a floor debate on Senate bill 150, the S.C. Compassionate Care Act.
Other possible points (only include 1-2):
Medical cannabis legislation has been proposed for six years. It deserves a floor debate and vote.
Polling shows more than 70% of South Carolina voters support allowing medical cannabis.
S. 150 is a carefully crafted, medical-only bill.
South Carolina law shouldn’t make its citizens criminals for treating their seizures, spasms, and intractable pain.
Carefully crafted medical cannabis laws are working well and providing desperately needed relief in 36 states.
More than 60% of severe pain patients enrolled in Minnesota’s medical cannabis program were able to reduce or eliminate their use of opiate medications. Medical cannabis doesn’t cause fatal overdoses. South Carolina should allow pain patients to substitute cannabis for opiates.
