South Carolina Law Enforcement Opposes Hemp THC Legalisation Push

Law enforcement officials in South Carolina are strongly opposing proposals to legalise hemp THC products, warning that such measures could open the door to recreational marijuana use across the state.

The controversy centres on an amendment offered by newly elected Republican Representative Greg Ford of Summerville. He has proposed allowing licensed businesses to sell THC-infused beverages, edibles, and tinctures to adults aged 21 and over. Ford’s personal stake in the debate is profound. His 24-year-old son relies on hemp products containing THC to control seizures.

“The reason why he turned 24 is because we found the hemp product,” Ford told fellow legislators during a heated House floor debate on 4 February 2026.

However, State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel has characterised Ford’s proposal as recreational marijuana legalisation under a different name. In a letter to House members dated 6 February, Keel argued that using hemp-derived cannabinoid instead of marijuana creates no real difference when it comes to intoxicating products.

The Legislative Battle Over Hemp THC Products

The debate erupted last week when Ford attempted to completely overhaul legislation authored by House Judiciary Chairman Weston Newton of Bluffton. Newton’s original bill would ban most THC-infused hemp whilst permitting only “intoxicating hemp beverages” containing no more than 5 milligrams of THC per 12 ounces.

Ford’s amendment was far more permissive. It proposed a 10-milligram THC limit per serving for various product types. The amendment failed by a narrow margin of 59-52 votes. However, the subsequent vote to send the entire bill back to committee succeeded with 63 votes from legislators across the political spectrum.

The unusual coalition that voted to recommit the bill included socially conservative Republicans seeking a total ban. It also included Democrats supporting broader marijuana legalisation and Ford’s supporters who want regulated access to hemp THC products.

Law Enforcement Concerns About THC-Infused Hemp

South Carolina law enforcement leaders have united in opposition to Ford’s regulatory framework. JJ Jones, director of the South Carolina Police Chiefs’ Association, warned that the proliferation of hemp THC products has created dangerous confusion about legal substances.

“We now encounter mind-altering drugs that are sold at petrol stations, smoke shops, and even grocery stores,” Jones wrote. “The marketing of the ‘hemp’ products is so grey that law enforcement, the general public, and more importantly our youth, are left wondering what is legal and what is illegal.”

Currently, verifying whether THC levels are legal requires laboratory testing of each product. This creates significant enforcement challenges for police across the state.

SLED Chief Keel has indicated he would support a total ban on hemp-derived THC products. Failing that, he advocates for strict regulations. These would limit THC beverages to 5 milligrams per 12-ounce serving. Gummies would be restricted to 10 milligrams total per four-pack. Sales would only occur in off-licences, and inspection authority would remain with SLED rather than the Department of Agriculture.

The Federal Context

The current controversy stems from the 2018 federal farm bill. This legislation effectively legalised hemp and very low levels of THC extracted from it. Specifically, it allowed delta-9 THC concentrations up to 0.3% on a dry weight basis. This opened the floodgates for THC-infused products throughout South Carolina and other states.

Prior to this, South Carolina had passed a narrow 2014 law. It allowed patients with severe epilepsy to legally possess cannabidiol (CBD), a non-psychoactive compound derived from hemp. However, Ford has explained that CBD alone does not help his son. He requires cannabis tincture containing THC.

Since the 2018 farm bill, hemp products containing THC have proliferated across South Carolina’s retail landscape. They now appear in petrol stations, convenience stores, and speciality shops statewide.

Medical Necessity Versus Public Health

Ford’s amendment differs significantly from previous medical marijuana proposals that have failed in South Carolina since 2014. Unlike those bills, which would have restricted access to patients with prescriptions, Ford’s proposal would allow any adult aged 21 or older to purchase hemp THC products.

The freshman legislator developed his 10-milligram serving limit after consulting with business owners. These retailers indicated this was on the lower end of dosages in their current inventory. Ford maintains that his proposal would both alleviate suffering for people like his son and enable legitimate businesses to operate within a clear regulatory framework.

Critics argue this approach bypasses medical oversight entirely. They contend it treats intoxicating THC-infused hemp the same as alcohol rather than medicine.

What Happens Next

Despite being sent back to committee, the THC hemp debate appears far from over. Typically, legislation returned to committee never resurfaces. However, this issue has proven exceptional.

A separate bill by Chairman Newton that bans all hemp THC products remains on the House calendar. The House Judiciary Committee could yet craft a compromise for floor consideration.

Meanwhile, a Senate panel is scheduled to take up different legislation this week. This bill would simply ban sales of hemp THC products to people under 21. The House passed that bill nearly unanimously last year, suggesting some appetite for regulation rather than outright prohibition.

Attorney General Alan Wilson has urged the House Judiciary Committee to return the legislation to the floor quickly. “No more games,” Wilson wrote in a news release on Monday. “It is time to remove the grey area regarding THC-infused hemp beverages and provide necessary guardrails to ensure these intoxicating drinks don’t continue ending up in the hands of kids.”

The challenge of verifying THC levels further complicates enforcement efforts. Each product requires laboratory testing to confirm compliance with legal limits. This creates a practical impossibility for routine police work.

As the debate continues, families like Ford’s face uncertainty about continued access to products they credit with life-saving benefits. Law enforcement officials warn about the risks of normalising intoxicating substances in everyday retail settings. The South Carolina legislature must now decide whether hemp THC products represent essential medicine or a dangerous loophole that undermines existing drug laws.

Source: scdailygazette