Ahead of the 2021 legislative sessions, NORML will provide a more detailed analysis of legislative efforts in several states across the country that are about to enact significant marijuana reforms in the coming year. This is the latest in a series of blogs that examine where state-specific reform efforts are.
Republican lawmakers in South Carolina are looking to 2021 with hopes of passing a bill to legalize access to medical cannabis. Earlier this month, state deputy Bill Herbkersman (R) acknowledged: “It is unacceptable that South Carolina residents with serious illnesses have to break the law to alleviate their suffering.”
Congressman Herbkersman, along with Senator Tom Davis (R), presented separate versions for the House and Senate of the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act prior to the 2021 legislative session, which would allow qualified patients access to medical cannabis under the supervision of a doctor.
South Carolina’s Compassionate Care Act was previously approved by a vote of the subcommittee in April 2019.
Prior to the 2021 legislative session, Senator Davis is optimistic that “there is a very good chance that something will pass this session”, but if it doesn’t, Davis indicated that he “will work on a bill to send the question to the people”.
South Carolina’s legislative session begins on January 12, 2020.
According to state survey data, 72 percent of Southern Carolinians say they support legalizing the use of medical marijuana.
If you live in South Carolina, send a message to your legislators in support of access to medical cannabis.