Medical marijuana could become legal in South Carolina if a recently proposed bill is voted into law. On Tuesday, the South Carolina Senate committee approved Senate Bill 839, which would legal Medical marijuana use in the state. The bill was proposed by Sen. Tom Davis (R), who has been working for years to get the bill through the legislature.
The bill received strong support from the committee, with a majority voting in favor of it. It will now move to the full Senate for a vote. If it passes, it would be the first time a Medical marijuana bill has been approved in South Carolina.
The bill would allow patients with certain medical conditions to access Medical marijuana with a valid doctor's recommendation and permit the cultivation, manufacture, distribution, and sale of medical cannabis products. It would also set up a system of regulation and taxation for Medical marijuana businesses.
Supporters of the bill argue that Medical marijuana could help those suffering from serious medical conditions. They say it could provide relief for patients who have been unable to find relief through traditional treatments. They also point out that there are many medical conditions that can benefit from cannabis, including chronic pain, epilepsy, cancer, and post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Opponents of the bill argue that marijuana is still illegal under federal law and that legal it in South Carolina could lead to more people using the drug recreationally. They say that the bill could open the door to recreational marijuana use, which could lead to an increase in crime and other unintended consequences.
The bill has received support from many organizations, including the South Carolina medical Association and the South Carolina Hospital Association. It has also been endorsed by the South Carolina Sheriffs' Association and some members of the South Carolina Legislature.
If the bill passes, South Carolina would join a growing number of states that have legal Medical marijuana, including Florida, Ohio, Nebraska, Minnesota, Kansas, Oklahoma, and North Carolina. Several other states, including New York, North Dakota, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington, are considering similar legislation.
It remains to be seen whether South Carolina will become the next state to legal Medical marijuana. With strong support from medical organizations, law enforcement, and lawmakers, it seems likely that the bill will pass.
