The chill, relaxed, and sunny vibe of the East Coast is incomplete without South Carolina. It’s known for its beautiful beaches, historical sites, delicious southern cuisines, mountain ranges, and warm and welcoming culture. 

This makes many people wonder if they could carry some marijuana and CBD with them while traveling to this beautiful state. After all, what’s better than taking some drops of Colorado Botanicals CBN oils and enjoying the sunset while staying at Air BnB’s in the Blue Ridge mountain range? 

Today we will take an in-depth look at cannabis laws in South Carolina so that you can plant your southern vacation without any fear of breaking the state’s laws. 

Legal status of cannabis in South Carolina 

Well, the legal status of cannabis depends on the type of plant and the THC concentration in the product. Cannabis sativa plants are mainly of two types: hemp and marijuana. Hemp plants have low levels of THC and high levels of CBD. 

Whereas marijuana plants have high levels of THC and low levels of CBD. As per the 2018 farm law, CBD products made from industrial hemp are legal, and they cannot have more than 0.3% THC in them. 

South Carolina also follows this ruling, so you can easily buy, consume, or produce hemp-derived CBD products within the state boundaries. Whereas CBD products derived from marijuana plants are completely Illegal. 

So if the cannabis source is hemp plants, then it’s legal, and if the cannabis source is a marijuana plant, then it’s illegal. Delta 8 products, which some brands try to sell under the CBD range through legal loopholes, are also completely illegal and banned in South Carolina.

The state also allows the use of pure CBD and CBD isolates, but they can’t be added to food items. Whereas full-spectrum or broad-spectrum products fall under the category of hemp extract. So they can be added to food, but cannot be labeled as CBD. 

So, in short, you can travel with or buy hemp-derived CBD products in South Carolina as long as they don’t have more than 0.3% THC in them.

What are Marijuana Laws in South Carolina? 

Marijuana laws are quite strict in South Carolina. Ever since 1970, marijuana has been completely banned in this state. Despite the rise of the legalization movement in the early 2000s, South Carolina residents and lawmakers have not budged from their orthodox stance on marijuana use. 

It falls under the Schedule 1 controlled substance list and is put on the same level as other abusable drugs like opioids or meth. As per authorities, marijuana is highly addictive, prone to abuse, and doesn’t have any significant medical value. 

If you are caught with marijuana possession for the first time, it’s treated as a minor demeanor, but repeated offenses could result in a huge fine and jail time.

Surprisingly, South Carolina is one of the only few states which don’t have a medical marijuana program.  But in 2014, the state brought some relaxation and allowed it to some extent for people with severe medical disorders. 

Under this new ruling, marijuana is legal for medical use as long as it has 15% CBD in it and no more than 0.3% THC. 

It’s only allowed for patients with severe epilepsy conditions like, Lennox gestalt syndrome, dravet syndrome, and other such conditions. There’s no requirement for a medical card, and only a physician’s recommendation is required, even for minors.

What happens if you are caught with cannabis in South Carolina?

A simple possession case is applied when the amount on a person is less than 28 grams. First-time offenders will be charged with a misdemeanor, up to 30 days jail time, and a fine with a maximum of $200 upper limit. 

Your troubles will increase if authorities find that you are carrying it with the intention of distribution. It’s treated as a felony charge and comes with 5 years jail time, and even 10 years in some cases. 

Anyone who has more than 28 grams of weed on them, can be charged with this case of “ Possession with intent to distribute”.

You are also not allowed to cultivate marijuana plants at home. If authorities bust you with less than 100 plants, then you can face up to 5 years of jail time. If they find more than 100 plants in your possession or facility, then compulsory minimum jail time can increase up to 25 years. 

The same is not applicable for hemp plants though, as it falls under the category of Agriculture crop. But even for legal cultivation, you’ll need a license from the Department of Agriculture. Also, you’ll need a separate license for processing and growing the hemp plants. 

Where can I buy CBD legally in South Carolina? 

You can legally buy CBD online in South Carolina from online sites of reputable brands. These online brands will offer you a huge variety of CBD products and deliver them in time to your doorstep. 

You can choose from a variety of products like CBD gummies, CBD tinctures, CBD lotions, and more. But make sure to check the product reviews and third-party lab test reports to ensure safety and satisfaction. 

The lack of regulations poses a risk of inferior quality or mislabeled products, so it’s essential to perform the above-mentioned checks. You can also buy low THC cannabis from medical dispensaries in South Carolina, without any medical card. But you must have a prescription or recommendation from your doctor for it. 

The Key Takeaways

To sum it up, cannabis legality mainly depends on the source plant and cannabinoid concentration levels in South Carolina. Hemp-derived CBD products are legal for the general public as long as they don’t have more than 0.3% THC in them. 

Carrying marijuana or cultivating marijuana plants is completely legal and is treated as a felony crime. Even medical marijuana is not allowed, but there’s a slight exception for severe seizure patients who can buy cannabis if it has more than 15% CBD and less than 0.9% THC in it. 

So whether you are visiting South Carolina to enjoy vacation or are a native resident, you can enjoy the therapeutic and healing effects of CBD. Just make sure to buy it from reliable and well-tested brands like Colorado Botanicals.