South Carolina Medical Marijuana Laws and Regulations

S1035/H4803, also known as Julian’s Law, took effect in South Carolina in June 2014, establishing legal protection for an extremely narrow class of medical cannabis patients and their designated caregivers. Under the law, licensed physicians can recommend the use of cannabidiol for patients with certain forms of epilepsy that is not adequately treated by traditional medical therapies. The legislation also creates a statewide program for conducting clinical trials, if approved by the Food and Drug Administration, as well as a committee to develop a production and distribution plan, in the event cannabis is reclassified by the Drug Enforcement Administration. The law is vague on cultivation and dispensing of medical cannabis, leaving patients and providers vulnerable to arrest and prosecution.

Qualifying Patients

Must be diagnosed with Lennox-Gastaut Syndrome, Dravet Syndrome (also known as severe myoclonic epilepsy of infancy) or any other form of severe, uncontrollable epilepsy
Must be unresponsive to traditional medical therapies
Must be certified by a medical doctor or doctor of osteopathy licensed by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Must not possess forms of cannabis that contain less than 98% cannabidiol (CBD) or more than 0.9% tetrahydrocannibinol (THC)

Designated Caregivers

Must provide care to a qualifying patient, either temporarily or permanently
May be a relative or someone who lives in the same household as the qualifying patient and/or be employed by a day care center or a public or private institutional facility
There is no statutory limitation on compensation for designated caregivers

Recommending Clinicians

Must be a Medical Doctor or Doctor of Osteopathy
Must be licensed by the South Carolina Board of Medical Examiners
Nothing prohibits physicians from applying for an Investigational New Drug Permit from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration
Physicians complying with Julian’s law are not subject to arrest, prosecution, civil penalty or administrative sanction, including disciplinary action by professional licensing boards

In September 2015, the Senate Medical Affairs subcommittee unanimously approved S672, which would create a broader medical marijuana program, but it failed in 2016.