South Carolina Legislators Argue for Medical Marijuana Legalization

Legislators in both North and South Carolina may push to legalize medical marijuana, particularly a strain called Charlotte’s Web, used to treat children with epilepsy.

Both Republicans and Democrats support a proposition to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina, because several strains, including the now-famous Charlotte’s Web, are low in THC and therefore will not get you high.

Marijuana has two main ingredients – THC, which creates the euphoric “stoned” feeling, and CBD, or cannabidiol, the chemical that can be therapeutic for certain diseases and disorders. Strains of marijuana like Charlotte’s Web are high in CBD, but low in THC.

However, there are no scientific studies to prove that CBD has therapeutic value – the only evidence in favor of the chemical’s properties so far is anecdotal evidence.

Despite lack of scientific evidence, last week Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort) proposed a new piece of legislation to legalize medical marijuana, after hearing the story of Mary Louise Swing, whose severe epilepsy was effectively treated with Charlotte’s Web.

The six-year-old could have as many as 100 seizures in an hour, and, while not life-threatening, they prevented her from learning to walk or talk, and led to injuries like a busted lip and broken teeth. Prescribed medications barely made a dent. However, her desperate parents tried cannabidiol, and for the first time, Mary Louise’s seizures stopped. She was able to talk and walk with minimal assistance.

However, because any kind of marijuana use is currently illegal in South Carolina, whether it is medical marijuana or recreational drug use, the Swings are thinking about moving to Colorado so their daughter will have access to this treatment.

In response to the story, Sen. Davis filed a bill to make certain kinds of medical marijuana legal in the state of South Carolina.

“I realize that federal law still classifies cannabis as a Schedule 1 controlled substance,” Davis says. “But as the FDA itself has acknowledged, it makes no sense to ban CBD oil, a non-psychoactive chemical derived from cannabis. You can’t get high on it and it has no street value, and it makes zero sense to legally prohibit doctors from prescribing something that would relieve their patients’ suffering.”

This is not the first time a medical marijuana bill has been filed in South Carolina. House Minority Leader Tom Rutherford has pushed for years to legalize or at least decriminalize the drug.

Last May, when the US DEA said they would not prosecute marijuana use at the federal level, doors opened for several states to legalize medical marijuana use. Washington State and Colorado have both passed legislation to legalize recreational use of marijuana.

Rutherford contends that, because the Obama administration said that it would not actively prosecute people who use marijuana, that is tantamount to declaring marijuana use legal on the federal level.

“I’m a person that hates smoking,” Rutherford said. “I led the charge to ban smoking in restaurants and bars, but marijuana comes in many forms. It can be placed in food, it can be inhaled in vapors and so it’s not just something that you have to get through smoking. But its time for legalization has come and gone. South Carolina just needs to get on board.”

If You Face Marijuana Charges, Including for Medical Marijuana Use, The Strom Law Firm Can Help

If you or a loved one have been found with medical marijuana, you could face criminal charges ranging from misdemeanor to felony, depending on how much marijuana was on your person, and what your intent was with the drug. The drug crimes attorneys at the Strom Law Firm can help. Do not let drug charges for medical marijuana hurt your reputation or your future aspirations. We offer free, confidential consultations to discuss the facts of your case. Contact us today for help. 803.252.4800