A BILL TO AMEND THE SOUTH CAROLINA CODE OF LAWS BY ENACTING THE "PUT PATIENTS FIRST ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 22 TO CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE REGISTERED PATIENTS TO USE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PHYSICIANS TO RECOMMEND THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA FOR THOSE PATIENTS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO ACT AS REGISTERED CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE PATIENTS, ALL WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO CREATE A CONFIDENTIAL REGISTRY THROUGH WHICH TO ISSUE IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS AND REGISTERED CAREGIVERS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND OTHER PROTECTIONS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS, REGISTERED CAREGIVERS, AND PHYSICIANS FROM CRIMINAL LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF DISPENSARIES TO CULTIVATE, GROW, AND DISPENSE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND PROTECTIONS TO DISPENSARIES FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES; TO CREATE CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDANCE AND FORMS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND BY REPEALING ARTICLE 4 OF CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH.
Impact
The enactment of H3019 is expected to have a significant impact on state laws, particularly concerning the legal status of marijuana within the healthcare system. By providing a legal framework for medical marijuana, it will not only define the conditions that qualify for medical use, including severe pain and chronic illness, but also establish guidelines that dispensaries must adhere to. With the repeal of the previous controlled substances therapeutic research regulations, the bill marks a shift towards a more lenient approach to marijuana where medical use is concerned, which could benefit numerous patients across South Carolina.
Summary
House Bill H3019, known as the 'Put Patients First Act,' seeks to amend the South Carolina Code of Laws by allowing registered patients to use marijuana for medical purposes. The bill establishes a framework for physicians to recommend medical marijuana to patients, creating a confidential registry to issue identification cards to both patients and registered caregivers. This legislative effort aims to provide legal protections to individuals involved in this process, mitigating criminal liability for actions sanctioned by the bill. Furthermore, it authorizes the operation of dispensaries for cultivating and supplying medical marijuana, set within a regulated environment.
Contention
However, the bill is not without contention. Critics argue that the proliferation of medical marijuana dispensaries could lead to misuse and potential public health concerns. Additionally, there are concerns among opponents regarding the adequacy of regulations surrounding the operation of dispensaries, including the potential for cannabis to be sold without appropriate oversight. The bill's supporters emphasize its potential benefits for patients suffering from debilitating conditions, asserting that it provides necessary relief and respect for patient autonomy in their treatment choices.
Requesting The Governor To Obtain A Controlled Substance Exemption From The Drug Enforcement Administration For Registered Medical Cannabis Patients And Registration Waivers For State-licensed Dispensaries.
Requesting The Governor To Obtain A Controlled Substance Exemption From The Drug Enforcement Administration For Registered Medical Cannabis Patients And Registration Waivers For State-licensed Dispensaries.
Psilocybin therapeutic use program established; protections for registered patients, designated cultivators, registered facilitators, and health care practitioners established; rulemaking authorized; civil actions authorized; fees established; advisory committee established; criminal penalties provided; and money appropriated.
Psilocybin therapeutic use program established; protections for registered patients, registered suppliers, registered facilitators, and health care practitioners established; civil actions authorized; advisory committee established; and money appropriated.
Urging The Governor To Reharmonize The Federal And State Regulation Of Cannabis In Hawaii By Obtaining A Controlled Substance Exception For Registered Medical Cannabis Patients And Registration Waivers For State-licensed Medical Cannabis Dispensaries From The Drug Enforcement Administration.
Urging The Governor To Reharmonize The Federal And State Regulation Of Cannabis In Hawaii By Obtaining A Controlled Substance Exception For Registered Medical Cannabis Patients And Registration Waivers For State-licensed Medical Cannabis Dispensaries From The Drug Enforcement Administration.
Psilocybin therapeutic use program established; protections for registered patients, designated cultivators, registered facilitators, and health care practitioners established; rulemaking authorized; civil actions authorized; fees established; advisory committee established; criminal penalties provided; and money appropriated.
Medical marijuana; medical marijuana transporter license; providing issuance of licenses for premises under certain circumstances; directing creation of inventory manifests documenting certain information; allowing certain licensees to maintain and operate warehouses under certain conditions; effective date; emergency.
Medical marijuana; medical marijuana transporter license; providing issuance of licenses for premises under certain circumstances; directing creation of inventory manifests documenting certain information; allowing certain licensees to maintain and operate warehouses under certain conditions; effective date; emergency.
Medical marijuana; transportation license; allowing transport of medical marijuana to patients; warehouses; inventory manifests and logs; signage; effective date.
Medical marijuana; transportation license; allowing transport of medical marijuana to patients; warehouses; inventory manifests and logs; signage; effective date.