CHARLESTON COUNTY, S.C. (WCIV) — A local nonprofit group is taking its cause to the capital. The South Carolina Cannabis Coalition will hold its second annual rally at the state house in Columbia on Wednesday.
Coalition organizers say they’re working to reform the state’s cannabis laws; they believe the laws are outdated. That’s why they’re pushing lawmakers towards legalization, and they’ve joined forces with a local senator.
“I think it’s past time that South Carolina jumps on board and not only passes medical cannabis but decriminalizes marijuana,” said State Senator Deon Tedder.
The SC Cannabis Coalition is bringing its supporters to the steps of the state house.
Read more: “SC senator proposes bill to remove marijuana smell as cause in traffic stops.”
The group is working to achieve what it calls “sensible decriminalization” across South Carolina’s 46 counties.
“It keeps cannabis illegal, but it changes it to where it’s a very low priority, literally like jaywalking. So, there’s no time, no jail time, no fines, and no court costs. Police have more important things they can go after, especially dangerous, and violent criminals,” said Bob Chapman, the SCCC’s founder.
South Carolina is one of only ten states that hasn’t decriminalized marijuana or legalized it for medical use. The group strongly advocates for medicinal legalization, arguing it’s proven to help patients everywhere.
State Sen. Tedder agrees.
“We have the research, doctors, medical licensed professionals, have testified time and time again that it works and that it’s a safe product,” Tedder said. “It’s a lot safer than opioids that we continue to prescribe, particularly to our veterans.”
Tedder will join the nonprofit group in Columbia to speak on his recently filed bill. Dubbed a probable cause law, the measure wouldn’t allow solely the smell of marijuana to be probable cause for law enforcement officers to pull drivers over for traffic stops and searches.
“This does not take away law enforcement’s ability to stop somebody if they suspect them of driving under the influence. It doesn’t do that at all. What it does is stop them from using the language that they smell marijuana to go on a fishing expedition to search somebody’s car.”
H/T: abcnews4.com
