When was the last time we needed South Carolina legislation for a drug to be prescribed by a doctor or dispensed by a pharmacy? When the drug goes through the normal FDA approval process, state legislation is not necessary. But that is not what we are dealing with when we discuss marijuana. Doctors cannot legally prescribe it. Pharmacists cannot legally dismiss you. There is no way to accurately dose.
Instead, this 55-page bill is an attempt to legislate around the FDA approval process, creating a complex scheme for growing, processing and dispensing marijuana that still violates federal law. Ultimately, this bill allows people to vaporize, eat or ingest marijuana that has not had any traditional medical reviews and has not been approved by the FDA. This is a truly dangerous proposition. Perhaps this is why 77% of South Carolinians said that marijuana should be regulated by the FDA in a 2016 Winthrop survey.
It is not surprising that many proponents of this bill use words like “prescribe” when discussing marijuana. They do this to make us think that it will be treated like all other prescription drugs. But the reality is that this narrative is simply false. The marijuana allowed in this project remains a Table 1 drug, which means that it cannot be legally prescribed, it cannot be legally dispensed by a pharmacy, and it cannot be legally owned by individuals without violating federal law.
In states with medical marijuana, dispensaries without in-house medical professionals appear in local neighborhoods selling marijuana products with unknown potency, without dosage instructions and with catchy names designed to attract children. It is truly reprehensible how far some of these companies will go to reach our young people with these dangerous products. This is particularly true for steam, edible and oil products, all of which are legalized in accordance with this legislation. In many cases, steam cartridges, oils and food products contain excessively small portions mixed with incredibly high percentages of THC. This is extremely dangerous, especially with regard to our children, the most vulnerable.
In South Carolina and across the country, marijuana is the number one reason for addiction and admitting treatment for children ages 12 to 17. I spent my 43 years in law enforcement defending those who are unable to defend themselves. That is why I have consistently expressed my concerns about legalizing marijuana in any form. Of course, I have compassion for those who suffer from debilitating illnesses. However, that is why I support ongoing clinical studies; to look for; and forms of drugs obtained legally, approved by the FDA, prescribed by a doctor and distributed by a pharmacist. That’s what medicine is in the 21st century.
This bill does not follow this model, so, in my opinion, this bill is not about medicine. It’s about legalizing marijuana in South Carolina.
Mark Keel
Head of SLED