Columbia, SC – On March 31, the Senate Medical Affairs Committee passed a medical marijuana bill in a 9-5 vote. The full Senate is expected to occupy S.150 during the second week of April.
SC Senator Tom Davis
The South Carolina Compassionate Care Act (S.150 / H. 3361), introduced by Sen. Tom Davis (R) and Rep. Bill Herbkersman (R), would allow patients with debilitating medical conditions and a medical certificate to have access to medical cannabis from regulated facilities.
Bill Herbkersman
Southern Carolinians overwhelmingly support the permission of cannabis for medical use. A February 2021 survey conducted by Starboard Communications found that 72% of South Carolina residents support the legalization of cannabis for medical use, with only 15% against it.
In addition, the legalization of medical cannabis is widely supported by medical professionals across the country. According to the New England Journal of Medicine, 76 percent of doctors support the permission of medical cannabis. The Epilepsy Foundation, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society and the South Carolina Podiatric Medical Association have been supporting South Carolina’s medical cannabis accounts for some time.
“The National Multiple Sclerosis Society supports the rights of Southern Carolinians living with MS to work with their health care professionals to make informed choices about the treatment of their symptoms, including the use of medical cannabis,” said Heather Breeden, senior manager of defense of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.
Thirty-six states across the country have comprehensive medical cannabis programs, including several southern states, such as Arkansas, Florida, Louisiana and Virginia. Seventy-three percent of Americans now live in states that allow medical use of cannabis.
“Thirty-six states now allow the use of medical cannabis, and Southern Carolinians deserve the same. Severely ill patients and their families have been begging for compassion for a long time. The time has come for the legislature to pass compassionate medical marijuana legislation. Our loved ones deserve a chance to relieve the symptoms that are destroying their quality of life. Today’s vote is an important step in the right direction and we hope to see the bill finally reach the Senate for a vote, ”said Jill Swing, executive director of the South Carolina Compassionate Care Alliance.
The South Carolina Compassionate Care Alliance is a state coalition of patients, families and advocates working to establish a comprehensive medical cannabis program in South Carolina.
For more information, visit https://www.SCCompassion.com.