South Carolina Religious Group Requests Legislators to Pass Medical Cannabis

[dropcap class=”kp-dropcap”]A[/dropcap] group of 15 faith leaders representing CSC Health, also referred to as Compassionate SC, recently asked state legislators to consider medical cannabis for South Carolina.

The message was released at a news conference, on March 20, and was delivered to every member of the House and Senate. “As clergy, we are committed to improving the lives of those around us through healing, mercy, and compassion,” the message reads. “Therefore, we cannot remain silent while members of our community struggling with debilitating medical conditions are deprived of an effective treatment option. We strongly urge you to adopt a well-regulated medical cannabis program this year.”

The message continues to mention the medical benefits of cannabis, as well as an objection to how some people have been treated like criminals by possessing it. “A growing chorus of South Carolina voices is speaking out in support of establishing a well-regulated medical cannabis program. We proudly stand with them, and we hope you will join us all in standing up for our friends, family, and loved ones who need help.”

The faith leaders paired their statement with the progress of the Compassionate Care Act, which is sponsored by Sen. Tom Davis and Rep. Peter McCoy via S0366 and H3660. There appears to be a lot of support for these bills, as other legislators have begun to show their support for it as well. Rep. Terry Alexander, who is also a pastor, believes that the Compassionate Care Act has a lot of potential. “Our most afflicted and vulnerable neighbors need help, and many of them cannot wait much longer for relief,” he said at the conference. “Enacting a compassionate medical cannabis law is the right thing to do, and now is the right time to do it.”

Earlier this year, a poll was held to determine state residents’ opinions on cannabis. Out of 400 South Carolinians, 72 percent said that they supported medical cannabis legalization.