Senator from Buford urges renewed push for tightly regulated medical marijuana after Georgia move

Senator from Buford used a point of personal privilege to press the Senate to reopen consideration of a medical marijuana bill, arguing that South Carolina is "failing its people" by denying access to an option that can provide relief for patients with certain conditions. He described a narrowly drawn proposal — which passed the Senate twice and remains under review in Senate Medical Affairs — that would require an in-person physician diagnosis for one of 11 conditions, pharmacist dispensing, and rigorous manufacturing and labeling to ensure product purity.

"We should be ashamed that we can't get this passed," the senator said, urging colleagues to remember the patients who, he said, "desperately need this". He contrasted the narrowly regulated medical proposal with the broader recreational measures discussed elsewhere and accused House leadership of refusing to take up the Senate's bill this session.

The senator said he will not press the measure this year because House leaders told him they would not take it up, but promised to "move it next year" and to "turn up the pressure on the House". Senator Gilles (who asked for clarification) was told the senator plans to pursue it with urgency in the 2027 session.

Procedurally, the senator also asked that his remarks be recorded in the journal, and unanimous consent was granted to record his words. No formal floor action on a medical-marijuana bill occurred during the session; the statement functioned as a policy pitch and a public notice that sponsorship and floor strategy will continue.

What happens next: The comments flagged the issue for the full Senate; bills referenced remain in committee and, according to the senator, are unlikely to move this year absent House cooperation.