Medical marijuana patients in South Carolina remain criminals if they use a treatment option that is safer many prescriptions. Bipartisan lawmakers have proposed bringing a compassionate law to the Palmetto State, but the proposal was defeated in committee this year. If patients are to get the protections they deserve, they’ll need legislators who stand up for them. You can help make that happen. If you are a South Carolina resident, find out where candidates in your state House and state Senate…

On Thursday, the South Carolina Senate Medical Affairs Committee voted 9-2 against the South Carolina Medical Marijuana Program Act (S. 672), effectively killing the legislation for the year. Fortunately, there is still hope the House will take action on its version of the bill — H. 4037 — which was approved by a House subcommittee by a vote of 3-1 last year. If you are a South Carolina resident, please contact your lawmakers and tell them South Carolina patients deserve access to safe and effective…

Over the weekend, Hilary Clinton expanded on her position regarding marijuana policy reform. Specifically, she stated that she would like to see marijuana rescheduled. Huffington Post reports: [caption id="attachment_9348" align="alignright" width="200"] Hillary Clinton[/caption] Hillary Clinton wants to reclassify marijuana as a less dangerous substance in order to allow more research into the drug's medicinal properties, the Democratic presidential candidate said Saturday in South Carolina. Marijuana…

Last week, a South Carolina Senate subcommittee approved H 4037/S 672, sponsored by Sens. Tom Davis and C. Bradley Hutto. The bill would allow qualified patients to possess and use medical marijuana for a variety of conditions. It now moves on to the Medical Affairs Committee, which will meet again in January. It is hopeful to see the Palmetto State demonstrating openness to policies that will protect the sick and suffering from arrest for using medical marijuana with a doctor’s recommendation, but…

[caption id="attachment_8786" align="alignright" width="300"] South Carolina State House[/caption] Last week, a subcommittee of the South Carolina House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee approved legislation that would create a compassionate medical marijuana program in South Carolina, with a 3-1 vote! If you are a South Carolina resident, please email both your state representative and senator and ask them to support this legislation. Potential medical marijuana patients,…

Tomorrow afternoon, a subcommittee of the South Carolina House Medical, Military, Public and Municipal Affairs Committee will take testimony on the need for a compassionate medical marijuana program. If you are a South Carolina resident, please email your representative today to ask him or her to support medical marijuana. If you are a seriously ill patient with a qualifying medical condition (definition 21), the loved one of a patient, or a medical professional, please also consider testifying in…

A bipartisan group of South Carolina state representatives led by House Minority Leader J. Todd Rutherford [caption id="attachment_8472" align="alignright" width="149"] Rep. J. Todd Rutherford[/caption] has introduced compassionate legislation that would establish a workable medical marijuana program in South Carolina. Under the Put Patients First Act, seriously ill patients would be able to possess and cultivate a limited amount of marijuana. It also creates a system of registered medical marijuana…

[caption id="attachment_7928" align="alignright" width="240"] Dr. Jon Gettman[/caption] A report released today by Dr. Jon Gettman shows that despite increasing support for ending marijuana prohibition, arrests for possession are actually increasing in some states. The report and other information can be found on Dr. Gettman's new site, RegulatingCannabis.com. According to a blog by Paul Armentano at NORML: From 2008 to 2012, seventeen state-level jurisdictions experienced an average annual increase…

On Tuesday, Democratic primary voters in South Carolina approved a non-binding medical marijuana question. With all counties having reported, the unofficial results show the question was supported by an overwhelming 75%-25% margin! The question asked voters if “medical marijuana [should] be legalized for use in cases of severe, chronic illnesses when documented by a physician.” While this was a non-binding question, meaning it does not change the law at all, the overwhelming support sends a clear…

The U.S. Conference of Mayors unanimously passed a resolution on Monday, June 24 criticizing the failure of marijuana prohibition and demanding that the federal government respect states’ and cities’ marijuana laws. The resolution, “In Support of States Setting Their Own Marijuana Policies Without Federal Interference,” calls for the Obama administration to allow states and localities to “set whatever marijuana policies work best to improve the public safety and health of their communities.” The…