Upstate lawmakers weigh-in on medical marijuana debate

The debate over medical marijuana in South Carolina continues to rage.This is after the South Carolina Senate voted to pass the Compassionate Care Act on Wednesday. This version of the bill passed the Senate 24-19Now, all eyes are on the house.”Anytime you pass something by partisan in the state of South Carolina general assembly, you got a winner,” Rep. Chandra Dillard said. Lawmakers in favor of this version describe the bill as being very restrictive.”I do like what the senate has sent over so far, but until we take it up on the House floor, I’m not sure,” Dillard said.”It’s laid out where in five to six years it could roll over into turning South Carolina into south Colorado, and we don’t want that,” Rep. Mike Burns said.Smoking would still be illegal, and instead, things like oil, patches or vaporizers will be allowed.You will be able to be prescribed medical marijuana if you suffer from conditions like cancer, glaucoma, or some forms of PTSD.Under this version of the bill, patients will have to meet their doctors in person and will only be allowed a two-week supply at a time.Employers could also ban their workers from using the drug.”It does answer law enforcement’s concerns that nobody will be smoking marijuana and we are going to try it for five years. The bill says we will try it for five years. If it doesn’t work, we can repeal it,” Dillard said.After reaching out to the majority of Upstate lawmakers, the results seem split.Of the people who responded:Leaning in favor:Rep. Jerry T. CarterRep. Neal A. CollinsCollins submitted the following statement: “I’m glad the Senate has passed the Compassionate Care Act again. I support the restrictive, medicinal use and hope it passes the House by May.” Rep. Craig A. GagnonRep. Chandra E. DillardNot in favor for a number of different reasons:Rep. Steven Wayne LongRep. Dennis C. MossRep. John R. McCravy IIIMcCravy submitted this image listing his reasons why he is not favor: Rep. James Mikell “Mike” BurnsUndecided at this time:Rep. Josiah MagnusonRep. David VaughanRep. Jason ElliottElliott submitted this statement in regard to the bill: “As I study the bill passed by the senate, input from constituents, medical and substance abuse professionals, and law enforcement is important.”Rep. Bobby CoxSaid no comment:Rep. Patrick B. Haddon “I would hope that people would look at the bill on its face. My colleagues would look at the bill on his face and think about the countless number of people that this could really help,” Dillard said.We have reached out to the majority of Upstate Lawmakers to get their thoughts, and we are waiting to hear back.Greenville County Sheriff Hobart Lewis has been opposed to this bill and said he is not changing his mind any time soon.”We don’t want a dispensary in Greenville County. I don’t want one in South Carolina. I don’t want to see this as a gateway to legalize marijuana use for our young people,” Lewis said.