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South Carolina is one of the few remaining states in the U.S. without a medical marijuana program, but recent legislative efforts suggest that change may be on the horizon. State lawmakers have reintroduced the Compassionate Care Act, a bill designed to establish a regulated medical marijuana program for qualifying patients. If passed, this bill would give South Carolinians access to medical marijuana for the first time, offering relief to those suffering from chronic pain, severe illnesses, and other debilitating conditions.
As South Carolina moves toward potential reform, patients and advocates are eager to see whether lawmakers will finally approve medical marijuana in 2025 or if the bill will once again stall in the legislative process.
The Compassionate Care Act
The Compassionate Care Act (Senate Bill 53), reintroduced by Sen. Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), aims to legalize medical marijuana for patients with qualifying conditions. Under this bill, a licensed physician would be required to establish a bona fide doctor-patient relationship and diagnose the patient with an eligible condition before issuing a medical marijuana recommendation.
Unlike in some other states, the bill prohibits smoking marijuana but allows for vaporization, edibles, tinctures, and topicals. Home cultivation would also remain illegal, ensuring that all marijuana products are purchased through state-regulated dispensaries.
Key provisions of the bill include:
Strict physician oversight, requiring doctors to recommend marijuana only for specific conditions.
Pharmacist involvement, meaning medical marijuana would be dispensed by licensed professionals rather than traditional dispensaries.
Regulations on THC levels, limiting how much THC patients can purchase within a 14-day period:
1,600 mg THC for edibles and tinctures.
8,200 mg THC for vaporization oils.
4,000 mg THC for topical treatments.
If passed, South Carolina would join the majority of U.S. states that have already legalized medical marijuana, providing relief to patients who have long fought for access.
Who Would Qualify for Medical Marijuana in South Carolina?
The Compassionate Care Act outlines a list of qualifying conditions that would make patients eligible for a medical marijuana card. Some of the key conditions include:
Cancer
Multiple sclerosis (MS)
Epilepsy and seizure disorders
Chronic pain (for which opioids are currently prescribed)
PTSD (subject to evidentiary requirements)
Terminal illnesses (life expectancy of less than one year)
The bill also establishes a Medical Marijuana Advisory Board, which would have the authority to add or remove qualifying conditions based on medical research and patient needs.
Why Medical Marijuana Is the Right Choice for South Carolina Patients
For patients suffering from chronic pain, neurological disorders, or terminal illnesses, traditional treatments often include opioids and sedatives that come with serious risks, including addiction, overdose, and severe side effects. Medical marijuana will offer a safer alternative with fewer long-term risks and proven therapeutic benefits.
Some of the key benefits of medical marijuana include:
Pain Relief: Marijuana has been shown to effectively reduce chronic pain and inflammation, making it a valuable alternative to opioids.
Anxiety and PTSD Management: Many patients with PTSD and anxiety disorders report significant symptom relief with medical marijuana, without the side effects of traditional anti-anxiety medications.
Seizure Reduction: Marijuana-based treatments, like CBD-rich formulations, have helped reduce seizures in epilepsy patients, even when other medications have failed.
Improved Appetite and Nausea Control: Patients undergoing chemotherapy or suffering from severe weight loss conditions can benefit from marijuana’s ability to stimulate appetite and reduce nausea.
With South Carolina’s strict medical marijuana proposal, access would be heavily regulated, ensuring that only qualified patients can obtain marijuana through licensed medical professionals.
Although the Compassionate Care Act has been reintroduced for 2025, its path to legalization remains uncertain. Similar bills have passed the South Carolina Senate before, only to stall in the House due to procedural roadblocks and lack of political support.
Past Challenges in Legalization Efforts
In 2022, the medical marijuana bill was rejected due to a procedural technicality, with opponents arguing that any tax-related legislation must originate in the House. Two years later, in 2024, a similar version of the bill successfully passed the Senate with a 24-19 vote but ultimately failed to gain traction in the House.
In response to these setbacks, Senator Tom Davis has emphasized that the 2025 version of the bill has been carefully crafted to avoid previous roadblocks. This time, the bill removes tax provisions and focuses solely on medical access and patient rights, addressing concerns that previously stalled its progress.
Despite bipartisan support among South Carolina residents, the bill still faces opposition from conservative lawmakers and state officials, who argue that marijuana remains illegal at the federal level. Governor Henry McMaster and state law enforcement officials have also expressed concerns about how medical marijuana legalization could impact public safety and law enforcement policies. Public polling suggests strong support for medical marijuana, with many South Carolinians believing that patients should have the right to choose their treatment.
Will South Carolina Finally Approve Medical Marijuana?
South Carolina has long resisted marijuana reform, but with growing public support and increasing pressure from advocates and patients, lawmakers are once again debating whether to legalize medical marijuana. The Compassionate Care Act offers a strictly regulated and conservative approach to medical marijuana, ensuring that only qualifying patients can access treatment under physician supervision.
If the bill passes, South Carolina residents suffering from chronic pain, epilepsy, PTSD, and terminal illnesses will finally have legal access to medical marijuana. The legislative battle is far from over, and opposition remains strong among certain lawmakers.
For now, South Carolinians must stay informed and engaged, advocating for patient rights and pushing for much-needed medical marijuana reform. As the debate continues, patients and caregivers should be prepared to apply for medical marijuana cards as soon as the program is officially launched.
Get Ready for Medical Marijuana in South Carolina
Reserve an evaluation online today, and we’ll book an appointment for you with one of our knowledgeable, compassionate doctors just as soon as the state’s medical marijuana market is up and running.
You’ll learn if you qualify for a South Carolina Marijuana Card and how to best treat your conditions with safe, effective medical marijuana. You’ll even save $25 off the cost of your evaluation!
Doctors Who Care
Relief You Can Trust.
South Carolina Marijuana Card’s mission is to help everyone achieve wellness safely and conveniently through increased access to medical marijuana. Our focus on education, inclusion, and acceptance will reduce the stigma for our patients by providing equal access to timely information and compassionate care.
If you have any questions, call us at (833) 781-6670, or simply reserve an appointment to start getting relief you can trust today!
Check out South Carolina Marijuana Card’s Blog to keep up to date on the latest medical marijuana news, tips, and information!
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