Is Marijuana Legal in South Carolina? 2025 Legal Status, Bills, and Access Explained

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Current Legal Status of Marijuana in South Carolina

As of 2025, marijuana remains illegal for recreational and medical use in South Carolina. The state has not passed any law decriminalizing or legalizing cannabis for general adult use. This means that possession, sale, or cultivation of marijuana is prohibited and subject to criminal penalties under state law. The only exception is the limited use of
Cannabidiol (CBD) oil
for qualified epilepsy patients, which requires a physician’s prescription and only applies to specific cases of chronic seizures [3] .

Recent Legislative Efforts and Proposed Bills

South Carolina has seen repeated attempts to reform its cannabis laws, but none have successfully passed both chambers of the state legislature as of mid-2025. The most notable ongoing effort is the Compassionate Care Act (Senate Bill 53), reintroduced by Sen. Tom Davis and cosponsored by Sen. Stephen Goldfinch. This bill aims to establish a highly regulated medical cannabis program , but its provisions are restrictive:

Medical cannabis would only be available to patients diagnosed with one of 12 qualifying conditions by a closely affiliated physician.
Cannabis would be dispensed only by licensed pharmacists.
Smoking cannabis and home cultivation would be strictly prohibited.
All cannabis products must be lab-tested and only certain forms (not inhalable flower) would be allowed.

Despite passing the Senate in early 2024, the Compassionate Care Act stalled in the House and did not become law. This reflects a pattern of legislative bottlenecks, with conservative leadership and procedural hurdles blocking progress [1] [2] .

Decriminalization and Recreational Use

Several bills aimed at decriminalizing marijuana or allowing recreational use have been introduced in recent years. For example, Bill S 335 proposed allowing adults 21 and older to possess up to 1 ounce of marijuana and cultivate up to six plants at home, while H. 3561 attempted to decriminalize possession. None of these initiatives have passed as of mid-2025. The current legal climate remains strict: any non-medical possession or use of cannabis is a criminal offense in South Carolina [3] [4] .

What About Medical Marijuana?

South Carolina is among the small group of states without a legal medical marijuana program. The only permitted use is CBD oil for severe epilepsy , and even this is tightly regulated. Patients and families must consult neurologists and obtain explicit medical documentation and approval before accessing CBD treatments. No other medical conditions currently qualify, and possession of cannabis products outside this narrow scope remains illegal [3] .

Efforts to expand medical marijuana access continue, with advocates and some legislators pushing for passage of the Compassionate Care Act or similar reforms. The bill’s restrictive approach-excluding smoking, banning home grows, and requiring pharmacist oversight-reflects the state’s conservative stance and aims to limit diversion or misuse [1] .

Step-by-Step Guidance for South Carolina Residents

If you are a South Carolina resident interested in medical cannabis access, here are the steps you can consider:

Stay Informed: Follow the progress of pending bills, such as the Compassionate Care Act, through official sources like the
South Carolina General Assembly
website or major state news outlets.
Consult Your Doctor: If you or a family member have a qualifying medical condition (such as chronic epilepsy), discuss CBD oil options with a licensed neurologist or physician.
Document Your Condition: Keep thorough medical records and obtain a formal diagnosis, as required by law for any access to permitted CBD treatments.
Follow Legal Channels: Only obtain CBD oil from sources approved under South Carolina law and ensure all products meet legal requirements for THC content and medical use.
Advocacy: Contact your state representatives to express support for medical cannabis reform or to get updates on upcoming legislative action. You can find legislator contact information on the official South Carolina legislature website.

For those seeking recreational cannabis, it is important to recognize that possession and use remain illegal-violations can result in criminal charges including fines, jail time, and a criminal record. There are no legal dispensaries for recreational marijuana in South Carolina at this time.

Potential Challenges and What to Expect in 2025

The main challenges facing legalization efforts in South Carolina are legislative inaction, procedural rules requiring tax bills to originate in the lower chamber, and a conservative political climate. Even with strong public support for medical marijuana in some polls, House leadership has consistently blocked or stalled reform bills before they can become law [1] .

Advocates hope that the ongoing push for a tightly regulated medical program will eventually win bipartisan support. However, until legislation is passed and signed into law, cannabis remains illegal for most purposes in South Carolina. Neighboring states with more permissive laws may influence future discussions, but as of now, the Palmetto State stands firm in its restrictive approach.

Alternative Approaches and Additional Resources

South Carolina residents interested in changing or understanding cannabis laws can:

Monitor legislative updates through the
South Carolina General Assembly
and major news outlets.
Engage with advocacy organizations that promote medical cannabis reform. Look for state chapters of national groups or local patient organizations.
Consult with legal professionals for advice if facing a marijuana-related charge or seeking clarification on permitted use of CBD oil.
Stay aware of regional trends, as neighboring states’ legalization efforts may affect future policy directions in South Carolina.

If you need more information, you can search for “South Carolina Compassionate Care Act,” “South Carolina marijuana laws 2025,” or “CBD oil medical use South Carolina” using reputable news or government sources.

Key Takeaways

â€¢ Marijuana is not legal for recreational or general medical use in South Carolina. â€¢ The only exception is limited, physician-approved CBD oil for severe epilepsy. â€¢ Major legislative efforts to approve medical cannabis have yet to succeed as of 2025, though the issue is actively debated. â€¢ Residents should follow legal avenues for medical CBD use and monitor legislative developments for potential changes in the law. â€¢ Contact official state bodies or advocacy groups for updates and support.