It was devastating to hear that the medical cannabis bill, S. 150, was defeated based on procedural challenge and a misreading of the bill. Speaker Pro Tempore Pope noted that S. 150 levies a 6% tax on cannabis, and he claimed that the bill did not include an exception from South Carolina’s existing 6% sales tax. But he was wrong — Section 4 exempts cannabis from existing sales tax, meaning the bill would simply levy the same tax rate on medical cannabis as applies to every other item sold in South Carolina. In other words, the revenue component is incidental, which is allowed in Senate bills. It's been seven long years since medical cannabis was first introduced. The issue is long overdue for an actual up-or-down vote in the House. Will you fight for medical cannabis protections?

I am extremely disappointed the House voted to kill S. 150 on procedural grounds. South Carolinians deserve the same medical freedom as patients have in 37 other states. Why is the South Carolina House of Representatives denying combat veterans and other suffering patients the right to try a medical treatment allowed in Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi? Please stand up for the medical freedoms for those who have risked it all for our freedoms.

For seven years, combat veterans, intractable pain patients, families of individuals with seizure disorders, and other suffering individuals have trekked to the State House and pled for a compassionate medical cannabis law. More than 70% of South Carolina voters now agree with them. Medical cannabis has more support than most or all elected officials! So why is the House of Representatives still failing to give this issue an up-or-down vote on its merits?