South Carolina is once again grappling with the issue of medical marijuana legalization. Republican State Senator Tom Davis has reintroduced what he calls the “most conservative” medical marijuana bill in the United States: the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act. Prefiled last week, the proposal aims to gain traction during the legislative session set for 2025.
Third Attempt to Pass Medical Marijuana Legislation
This marks the third time Davis has introduced a version of the bill, which has seen mixed success in previous years. While earlier proposals managed to pass the state Senate, they ultimately stalled in the South Carolina House.
The senator remains optimistic that this conservative approach could finally push the legislation forward. Observers suggest that conservative states, including South Carolina, might be more open to medical cannabis, especially as broader conversations around marijuana reform continue under President-elect Donald Trump’s administration.
Trump, who has voiced support for medical marijuana and previously backed an adult-use legalization effort in Florida, could provide indirect momentum for such initiatives in states with Republican-led legislatures.
What’s in the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act?
The bill reflects a cautious, tightly controlled approach to medical cannabis. It would impose significant restrictions on the production, sale, and use of medical marijuana in the state.
Key provisions of the proposal include:
- No smokable cannabis: The bill outright bans the use of marijuana flower for smoking.
- Strict dispensing rules: Only licensed pharmacies would be allowed to dispense medical marijuana.
- Harsh penalties for illegal possession: Individuals found with marijuana without a doctor’s recommendation could face felony charges.
- Caps on business licenses:
- A maximum of three “therapeutic cannabis pharmacies” per county.
- No more than 15 licensed cultivation centers, with each limited to a canopy size of 87,120 square feet.
- 30 processing centers, four transporters, and five testing labs statewide.
Davis emphasizes that this structure ensures both patient safety and compliance with the preferences of South Carolina residents.
Why This Approach?
Davis has framed the bill as a way to “empower” both patients and doctors. He argues that the legislation prioritizes strict medical supervision by requiring:
- Doctors to authorize and supervise medical cannabis use.
- Pharmacists, not traditional dispensaries, to handle distribution.
“This bill is conservative because that’s what South Carolinians want,” Davis told Spartanburg TV station WSPA.
The senator’s approach targets concerns among conservative lawmakers and voters who remain wary of medical cannabis. By emphasizing safeguards and a tightly regulated framework, Davis hopes to make the proposal more palatable to skeptics.
A Regional and National Stalemate
South Carolina’s struggles to pass medical marijuana legislation are mirrored in neighboring states like North Carolina, where similar efforts have also faced legislative roadblocks. Meanwhile, Nebraska voters overwhelmingly approved medical marijuana legalization in the last election, demonstrating that public support can sometimes outpace legislative action.
On a national scale, marijuana legalization efforts appear to have slowed, shifting from voter-led ballot initiatives to debates within state legislatures. Historically, lawmakers have been more cautious about embracing cannabis reform compared to voters.
Political Climate and Potential Impact
South Carolina’s unique political dynamics could influence the fate of the Compassionate Care Act. The state is home to prominent Republican figures like U.S. Rep. Nancy Mace, a staunch marijuana advocate and Trump supporter. Her advocacy for cannabis reform aligns with broader GOP efforts to support limited medical use while resisting full legalization.
With medical marijuana gaining traction even in traditionally conservative states, South Carolina faces growing pressure to address patient needs without compromising its conservative values.
South Carolina’s debate over medical marijuana remains a contentious issue, with the Compassionate Care Act standing as a test of how far lawmakers are willing to go in reconciling patient advocacy with conservative principles. As the 2025 session approaches, the outcome will hinge on whether Davis can unite his peers around this tightly controlled vision for medical cannabis.