Cannabis in South Carolina

Adult-use and medical cannabis are both illegal.

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Sen. Lindsey Graham - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Graham said: “Medical marijuana, I’ve heard from many people in our state, seems to have some value. If you can show me, and I think there’s evidence that it is helpful, then the medical marijuana idea I’d be open to.” (2022)
  • In an email to a constituent, Graham said: “While I am against legalizing marijuana for recreational purposes, I do not want to stand in the way of individuals with illnesses if medical science can verify its safe use and beneficial effects.” (2021)
  • Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2017)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against allowing banks to provide financial services to cannabis-related businesses that are operating legally under state laws. (2016)
  • Cosponsored the CARERS Act of 2015, which would have prevented the government from interfering with state medical cannabis policy, moved cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule II, ended the federal prohibition of CBD, allowed banks to provide services to legal cannabis businesses, and allowed VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2015)

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Sen. Tim Scott - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

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Rep. Nancy Mace (SC-1) R

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Co-sponsored the Veterans Equal Access Act of 2023, which would authorize health care providers from the Department of Veterans Affairs to provide recommendations and opinions to veterans regarding participation in State marijuana programs.
  • Co-sponsored the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act of 2023, which would allow veterans to use, possess and transport medical cannabis, and also to be able to discuss medical cannabis with a VA Doctor as authorized by a State or Indian Tribe.
  • Co-sponsored the CURE Act of 2023, which would amend the Intelligence Reform and Terrorism Prevention Act of 2004 to limit the consideration or cannabis use when making a security clearance or employment suitability determination, and for other purposes.
  • Quote: “I’m from South Carolina where the difference between rich and poor is often black and white, and cannabis is an area where we can work together on both sides of the aisle to prohibit more of those inequities from happening across our country and right the wrongs that have been going on for decades now. And I would encourage my colleagues, Republican and Democrat on both sides of the aisle, to get on board with this issue. The American people are asking for it. Seventy percent of Americans support medical cannabis. Half, or more than half, support adult or recreational use across the country, whether they come from the red state of South Carolina to the blue state of California. East coast to west coast. Americans from all communities, all colors, all ages, support this issue. The only place it is controversial is here in the halls of the capital, and it’s wrong.” (2022)
  • Tweeted: “While Representatives and Senators have debated, deliberated & compromised on cannabis in Congress, @WhiteHouse could have paid attention to what 48 of 50 states have made legal at some level. Merrick Garland – deschedule cannabis from the CSA now! #SRA” (2022)

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)

  • Co-sponsored The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Cosponsored the Kenneth P. Thompson Begin Again Act, which would allow individuals who have completed their probation for a first-time, low-level drug possession offense to apply for expungement of their conviction. (2021)
  • Sponsored the States Reform Act, which would remove cannabis from the Controlled Substances Act and expunge past cannabis convictions. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the Veterans Medical Marijuana Safe Harbor Act, which would allow veterans to use, possess, or transport medical marijuana and discuss the use of medical marijuana with a physician of the Department of Veterans Affairs in accordance with state or tribal law. (2021)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Told The Post and Courier she supports legalizing marijuana recreationally and medically. (2020)
  • Quote: “I am a proponent of legalizing marijuana.. Also ensuring that, ya’ know, our banking system and businesses are recognized as a business and taxes are collected in those states that decide to have it.” (2020)
  • Co-sponsored HC 3660, which would have legalized non-smokeable medical marijuana in South Carolina. (2019)
  • Regarding the medical marijuana bill she co-sponsored, Mace said: ““This bill is probably the most conservative medical cannabis bill in the country, right now. Thirty-three other states are ahead of South Carolina and have already passed their version of medical marijuana. In this case, I feel like we’re behind in some respects, compared to other states… “We’re not talking about being able to acquire marijuana to smoke in a joint or a bong or a vape, or anything of that nature. We’re talking about strictly a delivery method that would be in a capsule or an oil or other edible format for medical purposes only.” (2019)
  • Regarding the medical marijuana bill she co-sponsored, Mace said: “I have a newsflash, the black market for pot is already well in existence. If someone is terminally ill and medical marijuana will help them, we want them to receive it in a legal manner so they’re not going out and getting something that might do them harm.” (2019)

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Rep. Joe Wilson (SC-2) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. Jeff Duncan (SC-3) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted against the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Voted against allowing VA doctors to recommend cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted against preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. William Timmons (SC-4) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Cosponsored the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted against the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Told Vote Smart he does not support the legalization of recreational marijuana. (2018)
  • Said he isn’t adamantly opposed to medical cannabis but believes the conversation should be about whether or not it should it be legalized entirely. (2018)

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Rep. Ralph Norman Jr. (SC-5) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Abstained from voting on the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted against preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)

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Rep. James Clyburn (SC-6) - D

Supports Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

  • Voted in favor of The Medical Marijuana Research Act, which would remove some barriers to medical cannabis research and allow researchers to use dispensary grade cannabis. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2022)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2021, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2021)
  • Voted in favor of the MORE Act, which would end the prohibition of cannabis at the federal level, expunge low-level cannabis convictions, and levy a tax on cannabis sales to fund grants for communities that have been disproportionately harmed by cannabis prohibition. (2020)
  • Voted in favor of the SAFE Banking Act of 2019, which allows banks to work with cannabis businesses that are legal at the state level. (2019)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2019)
  • Cosponsored the Marijuana Justice Act of 2019, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level, expunge federal cannabis convictions, reinvest in the communities that have been most harmed by cannabis prohibition, and penalize states that continue to disproportionately arrest people of color and low-income individuals for cannabis-related crimes.
  • Cosponsored the Jobs and Justice Act of 2018, which would end cannabis prohibition at the federal level and create a reinvestment fund to assist communities that have been negatively affected by the War on Drugs (the bill also does a variety of other things).
  • Voted in favor of allowing VA doctors to recommend medical cannabis for veterans in states where it is legal. (2016)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting medical cannabis patients and providers in states where it is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing the Justice Department from prosecuting cannabis users and businesses in states where recreational cannabis is legal. (2015)
  • Voted in favor of preventing states from penalizing banks for providing financial services to legitimate cannabis businesses. (2014)

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Rep. Russell Fry (SC-7) - R

Does Not Support Federal Legalization

  • Expunge Past Cannabis Convictions
  • Reinvest In Communities Most Impacted By The War On Drugs
  • Allow States To Legalize Adult-Use Cannabis
  • Allow States To Legalize Medical Cannabis
  • Allow VA Doctors To Recommend Medical Cannabis
  • Allow Cannabis Businesses To Use Banks

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Gov. Henry McMaster - R

Has Not Supported Adult Use Legalization In Their State

  • Responding to President Biden’s cannabis policy announcement in October 2022, McMaster said: “I don’t know that there are many people that are in federal prison today for simple possession of marijuana. I don’t think so, if they’re in there and that’s a part of one of the convictions, they likely have more serious convictions than that, that’s a misdemeanor.” (2022)
  • Governor McMaster told reporters: “There is a lot of suffering that is treatable … with medical marijuana.” (2021)
  • When asked if South Carolina should legalize medical marijuana, Governor McMaster replied: “No. Law enforcement officials have made it clear that we are not in a position to appropriately regulate medical marijuana.” (2018)
  • Quote: “From what I have learned about, and what I know and what I’ve seen, it’s a bad idea to legalize marijuana. It would hurt the people, particularly the young people.” (2017)
  • Signed a bill to permit the production of industrial hemp for research and development purposes. (2017)
  • Opposes efforts to legalize medical cannabis in South Carolina.

Take Action in South Carolina

Connect with a NORML chapter in South Carolina

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Connect with an Students for Sensible Drug Policy chapter in South Carolina

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