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South Carolina Medical Cannabis Legalization

 
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South Carolina Senate committee approves bill to legalize medical marijuana in the state, despite federal law.

A group of people gathered around a podium, discussing and debating the legalization of medical marijuana in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee has approved a bill to legalize Medical cannabis in the state, paving the way for patients to receive access to medical marijuana. The S.C. Compassionate Care Act, introduced by Sen. Tom Davis (R), is the first step towards medical marijuana legalization in the Palmetto state. Despite the outcome of Tuesday's vote, medical marijuana will remain illegal on the federal level.

The bill, if approved by the full Senate, will allow South Carolina residents with certain Medical conditions to access marijuana products with a physician’s recommendation. Currently, South Carolina does not have a medical marijuana program and the only legal forms of cannabis in the state are limited to low-THC products.

Supporters of the bill argue that legal medical marijuana could help create economic opportunities in the state. Retailers in South Carolina and around the country have now spent five years establishing their marijuana businesses. Supporters also believe that legal medical marijuana could help reduce the state’s opioid crisis.

Opponents of the bill are primarily concerned about the lack of regulations surrounding the sale and consumption of medical marijuana. Sen. Davis has proposed a number of regulatory measures to ensure that the product is not abused or diverted to the black market. These measures include a system to track the movement of cannabis products and a stringent testing process to ensure that the products are safe and effective.

Despite the support of the Senate Medical Affairs Committee, the bill still faces an uphill battle in the state House of Representatives. A North Carolina senator said she's hopeful the House will approve the bill, citing the overwhelming support for medical marijuana in the state. Currently, 36 states and the District of Columbia have legalize Medical cannabis in some form, while 15 states and the District of Columbia have also legalize recreational marijuana.

The outcome of Tuesday's vote could have implications beyond South Carolina. Lawmakers in many states, including Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Tennessee, Vermont, and Washington are filing marijuana law reform bills in the hopes of legal medical marijuana in their respective states.

It is unclear when the bill will be brought to a full Senate vote. However, it is clear that the discussion surrounding medical marijuana legalization in South Carolina is far from over. Regardless of the outcome, the bill will provide an important opportunity for lawmakers to consider the potential benefits of medical marijuana for South Carolinians.

Labels:
south carolinamedical marijuanalegalizationsenatehouse of representativesregulationeconomic opportunitiestesting process

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