South Carolina Marijuana Laws and Medicinal Weed Use
Several parents of children with severe, incurable diseases urged members of the South Carolina House Judiciary Committee to support the bill. For these children, marijuana is either the only option for treatment or the only alternative.
For instance, Jill Swing, whose daughter lives with epilepsy and cerebral palsy, said marijuana keeps her daughter alive and helps her cope with the daily challenges of living with severe epilepsy. Kathy Roberson, Jill Swing’s legal guardian, says her great-nephew has been off pharmaceutical drugs for more than four and a half years.
South Carolina Marijuana Laws
The Senate passed a bill legalizing medical marijuana in South Carolina on Wednesday. The bill now heads to the House of Representatives. The measure is a bipartisan effort. It is expected to pass final after Wednesday’s vote. A voice vote on Thursday means that the bill has been formally transmitted to the other chamber of the bicameron legislature. It would also allow qualified patients to cultivate and consume up to two ounces of marijuana.
A qualifying patient must be a registered patient with a debilitating medical condition and must have a registered medical identification card. The patient’s designated caregiver must be at least 21 years of age. The state’s Medical Cannabis Advisory Board must approve the use of medical marijuana in South Carolina. The qualifying patient’s designated caregiver must be 21 years old or the parent of a qualifying patient.
South Carolina Dispensary Information
Currently, the Compassionate Care Act in South Carolina does not permit the recreational use of marijuana, but it would allow qualified patients to possess up to two ounces of it for medical purposes. Qualifying medical conditions include cancer, glaucoma, HIV, hepatitis C, Parkinson’s, severe nausea, and seizures. The law also requires all marijuana products to be packaged in child-resistant exit packaging.
The bill would allow for up to 15 cultivation facilities and 30 processing facilities, and would allow for one pot pharmacy for every 20 pharmacies. The licensing process would take time and would be administered by the state Department of Health and Environmental Control. Medical marijuana will still be subject to a 6% sales tax. State Sen. Tom Davis, the bill’s lead sponsor, said the purpose of his bill was to provide medical relief to those with serious medical conditions. Davis called his bill one of the most conservative medical marijuana bills in the country, which was necessary for it to pass.
How to Get a Medicinal Marijuana Card in SC
If you’re wondering “How to Get a Medicinal Marijuanna Card in SC,” you’re not alone. Despite the fact that the state is just getting started with medical marijuana legislation, the state is advancing slowly. You can start preparing for it by signing up for early notification of registration forms and notices. Listed below are some things to keep in mind if you’re planning on applying for your medical marijuana card.
If you’re under the age of 18, you’ll likely need a physician’s written certification. The document must indicate that you suffer from a qualifying medical condition, which must outweigh any risks of using medical marijuana. Your physician must specify the debilitating medical condition and the expected date of your follow-up appointment. The certification must be updated annually. If you’re not sure whether you qualify for a medical marijuana card in SC, contact your physician and find out the process.
South Carolina Marijuana Laws and Penalties
If you’re facing marijuana charges in South Carolina, it’s important to understand the different laws. Possession of less than one ounce of marijuana can lead to a misdemeanor conviction, but the consequences can be devastating. Here are the most common charges and penalties. Read on to learn more. And remember, even if you’re not a first-time offender, a criminal defense attorney can help you fight the charges.
Simple possession of marijuana is considered a misdemeanor in South Carolina and can result in fines up to $500 and a period of 30 days in jail. The penalties for a second offense are significantly tougher. A first-time offender can face up to a year in prison and fines of up to $2,000. Additionally, possession of hashish is illegal in South Carolina.
SC Marijuana Summary
The Compassionate Care Act has not yet passed into law in South Carolina. But it would make it legal for qualifying patients to possess up to two ounces of marijuana for medical purposes. Qualifying conditions include cancer, glaucoma, hepatitis C, Parkinson’s disease, and severe nausea and vomiting. Those with these conditions would not be criminalized for possessing up to an ounce of marijuana, though the bill could be overridden by the governor.
In South Carolina, a simple possession charge of up to 28 grams can be handled in municipal court, or even by a magistrate’s court judge. However, any weed charge larger than this must go to general sessions court. The Solicitor’s Office, South Carolina’s equivalent of a District Attorney, must take time away from other more serious felonies to deal with your weed charge.