S.C. Senate passes medical cannabis bill again; bill heads to the House

“The medicine that saves my life every day is illegal in South Carolina. I am asking my fellow South Carolinians, please support your veterans by asking your legislators to support compassionate legislation to bring this relief to everyone who needs it.” 

— J., a female South Carolina veteran with PTSD and a severely painful kidney condition that medical cannabis has dramatically helped

On February 14, 2024, the South Carolina Senate passed S. 423, the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, in a 24-19 vote after four days of debate. Now the focus turns to the House, which in 2022 refused to debate the bill on procedural grounds. In 2023, bill sponsor Sen. Tom Davis introduced a revised bill (S. 423) that remedied the procedural issue. The bill advanced out of committee but did not receive a Senate floor vote last year, so it carried over to 2024.

The House of Representatives now has ample time to decide the fate of the legislation. Please write to your state representative. It is critical that they hear that medical cannabis is a priority for their constituents. Let them know you want 2024 to be the year that South Carolina finally joins the 38 other states that give patients the medical freedom to use cannabis with a doctor’s certification. 

And let us know if you are a patient who could benefit from medical cannabis, or a supportive medical professional, clergy member, veteran, or current or former member of law enforcement. Your voice is particularly powerful in this effort.

Take action!

Speak out: If you live in South Carolina, please email your lawmakers in support of compassionate comprehensive medical marijuana legislation. 

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