COLUMBIA, S.C. (WSPA) — A group of medical professionals, veterans, patients and parents are calling on South Carolina lawmakers to legalize marijuana for medicinal purposes.
A bill that would do that has yet to be debated by the state legislature this year, frustrating advocates.
The South Carolina Compassionate Care Act is currently awaiting debate on the Senate floor. It is similar to legislation that passed the state Senate last year with a 28-15 vote but died in the House of Representatives following a procedural ruling on the floor.
A vote to give the legislation priority for a floor debate in the Senate a few weeks ago failed.
The bill would legalize cannabis for medicinal use for patients with certain conditions. Smoking of cannabis is not allowed under the legislation.
Some South Carolina veterans made a plea for Senators to debate the bill ahead of the legislative cross-over deadline so the bill would have a better chance at becoming law in 2023.
Cody Callarman, a Marine veteran and founder of a South Carolina CBD and hemp company, spoke during a press conference at the State House.
“South Carolina wants this. This should have been done years ago,” Callarman said. “If they want to continue to war on cannabis, that’s fine. But can we at least get the sick, dying and ill off the battlefield?”
Law enforcement groups and others have opposed the bill in the past. They have said without FDA approval for medical use, they…