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The two South Carolina Republican candidates in a runoff election for their party\u2019s nomination to serve as the state\u2019s next governor say they are open to signing legislation to legalize medical marijuana if elected to the job.<\/p>\n
The moderator of a debate on Tuesday noted that \u201ceven ruby red states\u201d are moving to allow medical cannabis use, pressing both contenders on whether they believe there is a pathway for it to be legalized in South Carolina.<\/p>\n
Pamela Evette, currently the state\u2019s lieutenant governor, said her father died a \u201chorrible death\u201d from lung cancer and that \u201cif I could have given him something that would have eased his pain in the last few days of his life, I would have done it.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cIf the General Assembly can bring me, as governor, a piece of legislation that doesn\u2019t end up being an open door to recreational use, I would heavily sit down and look at that,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n
\u201cBut I would bring in experts and doctors to make sure that we can tighten that to really just help people who medically need it, people who have tried everything and people who are sitting in the last minutes of their life\u2014because nobody should have to watch their loved one die in pain,\u201d Evette said.<\/p>\n
\nShe also noted that she and incumbent Gov. Henry McMaster (R) have already worked \u201cvery close\u201d with law enforcement on the issue\u2014though comprehensive medical cannabis legislation has never reached the governor\u2019s desk in South Carolina.<\/p>\n
Alan Wilson, who currently serves as state attorney general, said during Tuesday\u2019s debate that he \u201cwould be open to on the medical side. \u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have always taken the position and agree with what the Trump administration did,\u201d he said. \u201cThe Trump administration called for the rescheduling of marijuana from a Schedule I to a Schedule III. What that means is it can be studied for medical application, which it couldn\u2019t, as a Schedule I drug.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cI have met with so many veterans who are suffering from PTSD, people that I\u2019ve actually served with in Iraq. I have met with people suffering with seizures, people suffering with chronic illness, people suffering, people who are terminal,\u201d Wilson said. \u201cAnd if there is a possibility that we could derive some use from the medical application of that, then South Carolina should follow suit with what the federal government is doing, and have clearly defined laws and regulations that prevent it from being abused. I would be open to the medical use of it.\u201d<\/p>\n
Like Evette, the attorney general noted, however, that he does not support legalizing marijuana for recreational use.<\/p>\n
\u201cObviously, I\u2019ve spoken with law enforcement leaders all over the country, as well as elected leaders, both in the Republican and Democratic parties, who have told me, \u2018whatever you do, do not have recreational marijuana,’\u201d he said. \u201cThey can\u2019t say that publicly in their home states, but they said it has been an absolute disaster.\u201d<\/p>\n
The primary runoff election between the two candidates is on Tuesday.<\/p>\n
Democratic gubernatorial nominee Jermaine Johnson, currently a state representative, says on his campaign website that \u201cit\u2019s time for South Carolina to make medicinal marijuana safe, legal, and accessible.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThis means more jobs and income for farmers, a state wide tax on cannabis that will allow us to balance the budget, and medical freedom for people who are suffering,\u201d it says. \u201cAdditionally, Jermaine will commute the sentence of all prisoners who have non-violent marijuana related charges. This will relieve the burden on our state\u2019s prison system and restore families who have been destroyed by punitive and antiquated drug policies.\u201d<\/p>\n
The campaign also says Johnson would seek to \u201cput recreational cannabis to a state-wide referendum.\u201d<\/p>\n
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