South CarolinaHemp product sales would face THC, age, and location limits
If approved by the Governor, South Carolina would restrict hemp product sales, set rules for people under 21, and limit where related businesses could operate.
What it does
Sales and possession of hemp products above the stated total-THC limit would be prohibited, along with online sales, direct delivery, and direct shipment into South Carolina.
People under 21 could not possess or use consumable hemp products, and retailers would have to verify age, post warnings, and secure most products from customer access.
Hemp-derived cannabinoid businesses could not operate within 1,000 feet of schools, daycares, or similar sites, while schools would notify students and families about the rules.
Argument forAge checks, locked displays, and school warnings could reduce under-21 access to intoxicating hemp products.
Argument againstRetailers could face new compliance work and criminal penalties for sales, display, storage, or warning-sign violations.
More detail
People would be barred from selling, possessing, or distributing hemp products above the stated total-THC limit, and online sales and direct delivery would be prohibited. The rules cover intoxicating hemp products, hemp products above the total-THC limit, beverages above that limit, and consumable hemp products shipped to South Carolina residents. Products above the limit could be seized as contraband. Violations involving online sales, direct delivery, or direct shipment could bring a fine of up to $3,000, up to three years in prison, or both. CBD products could still be possessed, made, sold, or distributed if they do not cause an intoxicating or psychoactive reaction. Other state or federal laws may impose stricter limits. The rules would apply after the Governor approves the act; during the first 180 days after the effective date, law enforcement officers would issue warnings only for violations of the article.
People under 21 would be prohibited from possessing or consuming consumable hemp products, while sellers would have to check age, post warnings, and keep most products behind a counter or locked away. The rules cover consumable hemp products, including listed hemp-derived and synthetic cannabinoids, their sellers, buyers, recipients, and people under 21. Sellers could not knowingly sell to or buy for someone under 21, help someone under 21 obtain a product, or give out samples in public places. Retailers would have to clearly identify hemp-derived cannabinoids in hemp beverages and post a required warning sign. A person age 18 or older could handle these products as part of lawful job duties, but bartenders would still have to be at least 21. Violations could lead to fines or up to 30 days in jail, with different penalties for sellers and people under 21. These rules would apply after the Governor approves the act; law enforcement officers would issue warnings only during the first 180 days after the act takes effect.
Businesses that make or sell products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids could not locate within 1,000 feet of a school, daycare, or similar location, and school districts would work with state agencies on student notices. The location rule covers producers and retailers of products containing hemp-derived cannabinoids; the education provision covers local school districts, students, parents or guardians, the public, and school personnel. The school education policy would address the act's provisions and the change in law. School districts would collaborate with the State Department of Education, the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, and the Attorney General's office as appropriate. The location restriction and school education duties would apply after the Governor approves the act; the text does not state a separate deadline for carrying them out.
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Where it stands
- Introduced
- Passed 1st Chamber
- Passed 2nd Chamber
- To Governor
- Became Law
Looking ahead
No hearings or votes scheduled.
History
- 2026
- Jun 25Roll call Ayes-27 Nays-11Latest
- Vote recorded Adopt Conference Report. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded to adopt the conference report. Result: pass.Upper
- Jun 25Conference report received and adopted
- Jun 25Roll call Yeas-28 Nays-69
- Jun 25Conference report rejected
- Apr 30Conference committee appointed Massey, Johnson, Ott
- Apr 30House insists upon amendment and conference committee appointed Reps. W Newton, Jordan, Wetmore
- Apr 29Returned
- Vote recorded to concur. Result: fail.Upper
- Apr 29Roll call Ayes-16 Nays-25
- Apr 29Non-concurrence in House amendment
- Apr 23Scrivener's error corrected
- Apr 22Returned to Senate with amendments
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 35a. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Motion to Adjourn Debate. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Continue. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Adopt Amendment 17a. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Motion to Recommit. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 31a. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 27a. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Motion to Reconsider the Vote. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Amendment 32a. Result: pass.Lower
- Vote recorded Adjourn For The Day. Result: fail.Lower
- Apr 22Senate amendment amendedMinor
- Apr 21Debate interrupted by adjournment
- Vote recorded Continue. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Table Motion to Recommit. Result: fail.Lower
- Vote recorded Adjourn For The Day. Result: pass.Lower
- Apr 20Scrivener's error corrected
- Mar 24Roll call Ayes-30 Nays-13
- Vote recorded to consider amendment 39 on 3rd reading. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded 3rd Reading. Result: pass.Upper
- Vote recorded to take up amendment 42 on third reading. Result: fail.Upper
- Vote recorded to take up amendment 41 on third reading. Result: fail.Upper
- Mar 24Read third time and sent to HousePassed 2nd Chamber
- Mar 24AmendedMajor
- Mar 23Scrivener's error corrected
- Mar 19Roll call Ayes-35 Nays-4
- Mar 19Read second timeMinor
- Mar 19Roll call Ayes-36 Nays-3
- Mar 19AmendedMajor
- Mar 18AmendedMajor
- Mar 12Debate interrupted
- Mar 11Debate interrupted
- Mar 11Roll call Ayes-32 Nays-2
- Mar 11AmendedMajor
- Mar 11Roll call Ayes-29 Nays-4
- Mar 11Committee Amendment AdoptedMajor
- Mar 10Debate interrupted
- Mar 10Special order, set for March 10, 2026
- Mar 4Scrivener's error corrected
- Mar 3Scrivener's error corrected
- Feb 26Committee report: Favorable with amendment Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Jun 25Roll call Ayes-27 Nays-11Latest
- 2025
- Apr 15Referred to Committee on Agriculture and Natural ResourcesMinor
- Apr 15Introduced and read first timeMinor
- Apr 14Scrivener's error corrected
- Apr 10Read third time and sent to SenatePassed 1st Chamber
- Apr 9Roll call Yeas-102 Nays-2
- Apr 9Read second timeMinor
- Apr 9AmendedMajor
- Apr 8Scrivener's error corrected
- Apr 8Requests for debate-Rep(s). JE Johnson, W Newton, Jordan, Bamberg, Montgomery, Magnuson, Duncan, MM Smith, Kirby, Hewitt, Cobb-Hunter, Grant, Hart, King, Hager, Garvin, Gilliam, Rankin, Govan, Mitchell, Brittain, Weeks, Anderson, Gilliard
- Apr 4Scrivener's error corrected
- Apr 3Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Henderson-Myers
- Apr 2Committee report: Favorable with amendment JudiciaryMinor
- Mar 26Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Wickensimer
- Mar 4Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Montgomery
- Feb 19Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Robbins
- Feb 19Member(s) request name removed as sponsor: Gatch, Murphy, King, McDaniel, Cobb-Hunter, Robbins
- Feb 18Member(s) request name added as sponsor: Pope
- Feb 6Referred to Committee on JudiciaryMinor
- Feb 6Introduced and read first timeIntroduced
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