Medical Marijuana bill sponsor confident after governor’s comments

COLUMBIA, SC (WIS) – This week, cannabis legislation is the focus of South Carolina and national politics.

It began Monday when former US MP and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Joe Cunningham announced his intention to press for medical and recreational marijuana legalization if an election occurs.

On Tuesday, Governor Henry McMaster voiced his opposition to recreational use but his willingness to look into medical cannabis.

On Wednesday, Senate Majority Leader Senator Chuck Schumer (DN.Y.) presented a bill to decriminalize, regulate and tax marijuana nationally.

Senator Tom Davis (R-Beaufort), in light of the governor’s comments, expressed confidence in the medical marijuana law he tabled at the previous session.

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The law would pave the way for people with certain diseases to consume medicinal cannabis, and it would not allow smoking.

“Legalizing medical cannabis is about empowering doctors, it’s about allowing doctors to do what they think is in the best interests of their patients. In my opinion [McMaster]has the right to recognize this decision and I applaud him for the guidance he is giving us, ”he said.

Davis said he had the South Carolina Senate votes to remove him from the Chamber and said he expected bipartisan support in the House of Representatives.

The bill made it into the committee last spring.

Recreational marijuana seems further afield, and Davis is expressing his opposition.

“In all honesty, I think this debate is tarnishing the debate on physician empowerment,” he said.

Scott Weldon, executive director of SC NORML, said legalizing recreational activities was likely a way out, but highlighted the benefits of the reform.

“The damage that comes from arresting marijuana is greater than any impact the plant itself could have,” he said.

The SLED spokesman reiterated Chief Mark Keel’s opposition to the legalization of marijuana in any form. He sent a statement on behalf of Keel Reading:

“My position on legalizing marijuana, medical or otherwise, is well established and has not changed. Legalizing marijuana in any form is a public safety concern and I am not aware of any other bill that has the potential to negatively affect SC as we know it today. As I said recently during this year’s medical marijuana debate, no legislation is required when drugs go through the normal FDA approval process. The doctor cannot legally prescribe it. Pharmacists cannot legally dispense it. There is no way to precisely dose it. I support ongoing clinical trials, research, and only forms of medication that are legally purchased, FDA approved, prescribed by a doctor, and dispensed to patients by a pharmacist with traditional dosage instructions. This is what medicine looks like in the 21st century. “

A 2017 study by the Academies of Science, Engineering, and Medicine found evidence of the therapeutic benefits of medicinal cannabis, but also identified dangers associated with consumption and driving.

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