Medical marijuana for ailing South Carolinians is back on the table. The proposed legislation has evolved as it has knocked at the State House doors for years. But whether it can get out of the Senate again, then pass the House remains to be seen.
The Compassionate Care Act, S.423, would allow South Carolinians with certain conditions, such as cancer, multiple sclerosis or terminal illnesses to be prescribed certain forms of medicinal marijuana. The Senate fast tracked the legislation this week, sparking discussion over two days of back and forth debate on the issue.
In 2022, the Senate passed a similar version of the bill, but it failed in the House on a technicality. The bill is considered conservative compared to other states medical marijuana laws, limiting the delivery method to topical, oral or vaporized products only. Burning the plant and smoking are prohibited
Tom Davis, R-Beaufort, has been working on passing a medical marijuana bill for 10 years. and presented the bill Wednesday where he said he was confident it would pass in the Senate, but expected opponents to bring forth debate.