Is CBD Legal in South Carolina?
CBD from hemp is legal for recreational and medicinal use in South Carolina. A wide range of CBD products are available across the state including CBD oil. CBD products are available in brick and mortar shops and can also be purchased online without needing any prescription. The 2014 Farm Bill was signed into law which allows all states to grow and study industrial hemp.
Hemp comes from the Cannabis Sativa L. family which contains both CBD and THC. This plant has small amounts of THC, a chemical compound that produces psychotropic effects. Since industrial hemp contains less than 0.0 mg. THC, it does not create any psychoactive effects.
Is CBD Oil Legal in South Carolina?
Hemp-derived CBD oil is legal in the state of South Carolina. Under South Carolina’s pilot program, industrial hemp became legal in the state. Over 150 farmers have applied permits to grow hemp in 2019 while 20 farmers are currently participating in the inaugural season.
CBD hemp oil can be freely used in the state. CBD cannabis oil, on the other hand, is derived from marijuana and is available under certain conditions.
Is it Legal to Buy CBD Products in South Carolina?
There are two kinds of CBD products, oil derived from hemp and marijuana. Both types are available in South Carolina. While residents can freely purchase CBD hemp products, marijuana-derived CBD is available for patients diagnosed with specific medical conditions.
Based on federal law, it is legal to farm, cultivate, process, and sell hemp for study and research. CBD from hemp is produced in different forms. The most popular types in South Carolina are oils, ointments, wax, creams, tinctures, concentrates, and liquids.
What Do the Laws and Regulations about CBD in South Carolina Specifically Say?
South Carolina legislators approved Senate Bill 20135 allowing patients to obtain marijuana extracted CBD oil with low THC levels with a doctor’s recommendation. With the approval of the 2018 Farm Bill, the law legalized the use of hemp at the federal level which includes CBD extracts. It also allowed farmers to grow and sell the hemp plant commercially and therefore, legalizing the domestic manufacturing of the hemp plant.
In 2107, Gov. Henry McMaster signed the House Bill 3559 into law which allows up to 20 farmers to grow hemp for research. The same year, the Dept. of Agriculture selected 20 farmers to grow industrial hemp through the Industrial Hemp Pilot Program. Meanwhile, Agriculture Commissioner, Hugh Weathers said, “This is a new industry for South Carolina, and we’re hopeful that these first 20 growers will lay a strong foundation for an expanded 2019 program.”
More than 30 states have similar pilot programs to grow hemp. Industrial hemp is also used to produce different types of products including paper, food, and textiles. Residents who are looking for high-quality CBD should make sure that they purchase CBD for sale in South Carolina from reputable companies that use third-party testing facilities to prove their quality.
Other Important Considerations When Buying CBD in South Carolina
According to Guide to CBD, South Carolina residents use CBD for various medical purposes. Studies have shown how CBD can potentially improve and manage certain health issues. The state passed Senate Bill 1035, also known as Julian’s Law. With this legislation, people who are suffering from severe epilepsy can use cannabis-derived CBD.
This bill was penned by Gov. Nikki Halley and declared that “All patients diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome, also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy or any other severe form of epilepsy that is not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies and the physician’s conclusion that the patient might benefit from the medical use of cannabidiol.”
Law states that CBD oil must contain a minimum of 14% CBD and THC levels less than 0.9%. This substance should be acquired from the Medical University of South Carolina. Patients who are qualified to use CBD products should remain under a program to help track their progress.
The qualifying medical conditions under the state’s medical-marijuana program include HIV/AIDS, hepatitis C, ALS, PTSD, Alzheimer’s disease, Crohn’s disease, Parkinson’s disease, and autism among many others.
What are the 2019 News About CBD in South Carolina?
Based on an article from Medical Marijuana, before the 2018 Farm Bill was implemented, CBD products were already available in South Carolina as well as other states across the US. To clarify, CBD was never classified as a controlled substance unlike THC, marijuana, and certain parts of the hemp plant.
CBD manufacturers are allowed to produce and sell CBD oil as long as it is derived from hemp. They could only use certain parts of the plant including the fiber, oil, seeds, and stalks which were not included in the definition of marijuana under the federal legislation.
State legislators signed Julian’s Law, also referred to as Senate Bill 1035 or House Bill 4803 which legalized marijuana extracts with less than 0.9% THC levels and 15% CBD. Under this law, residents who possess a doctor’s recommendation can buy and use cannabis oil from marijuana.
Meanwhile, South Carolina legislators are also in discussion of creating a more comprehensive bill for medical marijuana. This new amendment will allow patients to access two oz. of marijuana every two weeks. This bill made it to the House and Senate but did not make the deadline. Hence, this bill is yet to be determined by legislators in 2020.
Conclusion
After the introduction of the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, the bill will enable residents with serious health conditions to access, use, and enjoy the benefits of medical marijuana. The proposed bill will also allow marijuana and its derivatives to be produced and manufactured safely.
Once this bill is signed into law, a lot of South Carolina residents will be able to use medical cannabis legally along with a doctor’s recommendation. Until then, residents are advised to stay updated on the laws surrounding CBD in the state, especially since the rules and regulations may be amended from time to time. In the meantime, South Carolina residents and consumers can enjoy the benefits of hemp-derived CBD products available in the state.