Quick Facts
| Legal Status | Medical Since | Adult Use | Access Type | Est. Cost | Insurance |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No Medical Programme — CBD Legal | No programme | No | No medical dispensaries — hemp CBD available statewide | Not applicable | No |
Legal Timeline
| Year | Development |
|---|---|
| 2014 | Julian's Law passes — very limited CBD for severe epilepsy only |
| 2016 | CBD extract legalised for additional epilepsy conditions |
| 2022 | Compassionate Care Act passes Senate 28-15 but fails in House |
| 2023 | Reform efforts continue; bipartisan Senate support remains |
| 2024 | South Carolina remains without a medical cannabis programme |
How to Access Cannabis in South Carolina
- Cannabis is not legally available in South Carolina — no medical programme or dispensaries
- Hemp-derived CBD products (under 0.3% THC) are available in stores statewide
- A very limited CBD extract programme exists for severe epilepsy — consult a neurologist
- Patients seeking medical cannabis must travel to neighbouring Georgia (very limited), North Carolina (no programme) or further to Virginia or Maryland
- Monitor SC legislature (scstatehouse.gov) for reform progress
Qualifying Medical Conditions
- No qualifying conditions — no medical cannabis programme in South Carolina
Licensed Dispensaries & Providers
| Provider | Website | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SC General Assembly | scstatehouse.gov | Track the Compassionate Care Act in the SC legislature |
| NORML South Carolina | norml.org | Reform advocacy — SC chapter |
Cost Breakdown
| Item | Estimated Cost (USD) | Insurance Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Hemp CBD products | USD 20-70 | No coverage |
| Medical cannabis (not available in SC) | N/A | N/A |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is medical cannabis legal in South Carolina?+
No — South Carolina has no medical cannabis programme. Only hemp-derived CBD products are widely available. A very limited CBD extract programme exists for severe epilepsy only.
What is the Compassionate Care Act?+
The South Carolina Compassionate Care Act would create a medical cannabis programme. It has passed the Senate with bipartisan support but has repeatedly failed to advance in the House.
What are cannabis penalties in South Carolina?+
First-time possession of 1oz or less is a misdemeanour (up to 30 days, USD 100-200 fine). Larger amounts and sale carry felony charges. South Carolina has relatively strict cannabis penalties.
Is South Carolina likely to legalise medical cannabis?+
Senate support has been consistent. The main obstacle is House leadership resistance. Some observers expect South Carolina to eventually pass a medical programme, potentially through continued Senate pressure.
Where is the nearest legal dispensary to South Carolina?+
Georgia has a very limited low-THC programme. Virginia has adult-use dispensaries accessible from the Charlotte/Carolinas area. Tennessee has very limited access.
Is CBD legal in South Carolina?+
Yes — hemp-derived CBD with no more than 0.3% THC is legal. Full-spectrum CBD and products with higher THC remain illegal without a medical card — which South Carolina does not yet issue.