South-Carolina

South Carolinians still left waiting after push to legalize medical marijuana falls short in 2022

Published

3 years ago

May 20, 2022

South Carolinians still left waiting after push to legalize medical marijuana falls short in 2022

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) – Regardless of the abrupt loss of life of the invoice to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina this 12 months, supporters and advocates say their hope for the laws continues to be alive.

The “SC Compassionate Care Act,” S.150, superior additional this 12 months than it ever had earlier than, passing the state Senate and making all of it the way in which to the Home of Representatives ground for debate, the place it was one key step away from reaching the governor’s desk.

However earlier than that debate actually bought underway within the Home, Rep. John McCravy, R- Greenwood, who had put up round 1,000 amendments in an try and stall the invoice, raised a query about its constitutionality.

The invoice would have taxed the sale of medical marijuana in South Carolina. The state structure requires payments that create a brand new tax should originate within the Home, however S.150 was a Senate invoice. Home Speaker Professional Tem Tommy Pope, R – York, dominated the invoice was unconstitutional due to this and couldn’t be additional debated, killing it. An try and enchantment Pope’s resolution was voted down.

Sen. Tom Davis, R – Beaufort, who has been pushing for this laws for years, disagreed with Pope’s ruling, arguing the invoice’s revenue-raising part was ancillary to its main function, to ascertain a medical hashish program within the state.

A Hail Mary attempt to resurrect the invoice throughout the remaining week of the legislative session additionally fell brief.

“There’s frustration,” Davis informed reporters shortly after the Home ruling on Might 4. “I imply, look, seven years’ value of labor. Seven years’ value of public testimony, seven years’ value of docs and caregivers and mothers and other people coming and testifying and speaking about how this might make a fabric distinction of their lives.”

Amongst these mothers who’ve been testifying is Charleston’s Jill Swing, the founding father of the SC Compassionate Care Alliance, which advocates for the legalization of medical hashish within the state.

Swing has develop into an everyday at public hearings for the laws, and she or he was the one that first satisfied Davis a number of years in the past to champion it within the Normal Meeting.

“I might think about lots of of hours I’ve spent at our State Home, driving forwards and backwards two hours,” she stated.

However Swing stated all these drives are value it if it helps to legalize what she stated is an efficient therapy for her daughter, Mary Louise, who has extreme epilepsy and cerebral palsy.

“Round 2013, docs had gotten to the purpose the place there weren’t any viable therapy choices for her to assist management her seizures, and her seizures had been extreme. She was having 800-1,000 seizures a day,” Swing stated.

Swing stated she had resorted to underground markets to purchase cannabidiol, or CBD, merchandise, which don’t comprise THC, the compound in marijuana that produces a excessive, earlier than CBD was legalized in South Carolina to deal with Mary Louise.

Then in 2016, they visited Maine to entry medical hashish beneath a health care provider’s care and steering.

“She was a special youngster,” Swing stated, explaining Mary Louise skilled fewer seizures and decreased seizure-causing gentle sensitivity, might stand on her personal, and was capable of say extra phrases. “However sadly, it’s not authorized right here, so again residence in South Carolina, I can’t give her one thing I do know helps her.”

Davis’ invoice, which he claimed was probably the most conservative medical hashish laws within the nation, included epilepsy among the many 12 medical circumstances for which non-smokable medical hashish might have been prescribed, with in-person approval from a health care provider required.

Swing stated she was inspired to see years of labor begin to repay this 12 months, because the invoice superior into uncharted territory for South Carolina.

However she referred to as the procedural ruling that killed it on the Home ground, stopping South Carolina from changing into the thirty eighth state to legalize medical marijuana, irritating.

“It impacts lots of people’s lives, and it’s actually time that I feel our lawmakers look within the mirror and resolve in the event that they’re going to be public servants or in the event that they’re going to serve their very own will and their very own need as a result of I feel it was an injustice, and sadly, sufferers are going to have to attend,” Swing stated.

They should wait till January earlier than the invoice will be reintroduced, and Davis has stated he plans to try to pass it as soon as once more subsequent 12 months.

As a result of a brand new, two-year legislative session begins in 2023, the invoice would want to maneuver by way of extra public hearings, advance out of committees, and once more move within the Senate if it does develop into legislation.

However Swing stated she’s not giving up.

“I get drained, I get fatigued, I get pissed off, however I’m continually reminded why I’m doing this, and it’s for Mary Louise,” she stated. “She all the time evokes me. She provides me energy, and she or he’s what retains me occurring this struggle.”

Legislation enforcement officers are amongst those that have expressed issues about this invoice.

SLED Chief Mark Keel has maintained his opposition, saying he believes marijuana first must be accredited by the FDA.

Source link

Click to comment

South-Carolina

‘Arctic air’: Officials urge South Carolina to prepare for extreme cold

Published

4 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

‘Arctic air’: Officials urge South Carolina to prepare for extreme cold

COLUMBIA, S.C. (FOX Carolina) – On Saturday afternoon, officials with South Carolina’s State Emergency Division urged the state’s residents to prepare for winter weather and extreme cold.

Officials stressed the importance of taking action now to ensure safety during the cold.

“Arctic air is expected to move into the state Sunday night, with the possibility of snow and ice impacting parts of the state on Tuesday and Wednesday,” officials said.

Officials encouraged residents to take the following precautions:

Assemble an emergency kit with non-perishable food, water, medications, flashlights, batteries, a first-aid kit, and important documents. Ensure the kit can sustain your household for at least three days.
Insulate exposed pipes and let faucets drip overnight to prevent freezing and bursting.
Prepare alternative heating sources, such as ensuring you have enough dry, seasoned wood for your fireplace. Keep fire extinguishers accessible, and make sure everyone knows how to use them.
Keep kerosene heaters and generators outside, properly vented, and away from flammable materials. Never use a portable generator indoors.
Check on pets and ensure they have access to food and water, while also protecting them from the cold by keeping them indoors if possible.
Keep an emergency supply kit in your vehicle with essentials like water, snacks, and a flashlight for unexpected situations.
Be cautious when walking or driving on ice, particularly black ice.
Limit travel, especially during freezing conditions or overnight when temperatures are expected to drop.
If travel is essential, slow down, increase your following distance, and remain alert.
In the event of a minor collision without injuries, move your vehicle off the road and call local law enforcement or dial *HP (*47) for assistance.
Share your travel plans with family or friends, including your destination and estimated time of arrival.

You can download the FOX Carolina First Alert Weather app for more updates on incoming weather.

Source link

South-Carolina

Dawn Staley’s $25M extension ensures she will remain force in women’s basketball

Published

12 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Dawn Staley’s M extension ensures she will remain force in women’s basketball

The notification popped up on Aliyah Boston’s phone late Friday morning, moments before she left the locker room and headed to the Unrivaled practice court.

South Carolina’s legendary coach Dawn Staley had signed a $25 million extension that locked her in through the 2029-30 season and made the Hall of Famer the richest coach in women’s college basketball history.

Boston almost texted Staley to ask where her college coach was planning to take her to dinner to celebrate. But Boston’s congratulatory message would have to wait until after shootaround.

“That’s pretty dope,” Boston said. “What Coach Staley has done for women’s basketball and how much she just advocates for us, especially, for one, being an investor in Unrivaled, you see how much she puts into the sport, and so I’m so glad that it’s coming back for her.”

Source link

South-Carolina

Ford Records World Lead at Corky Classic

Published

20 hours ago

January 18, 2025

Press Room

Ford Records World Lead at Corky Classic

LUBBOCK, Texas (Jan. 17, 2025) – South Carolina Track & Field standout JaMeesia Ford paced the Gamecocks in the opening day of the Corky Classic in Lubbock, Texas.

South Carolina won a pair of events on the first day, led by a new world-leading time in the women’s 400 meter sprint by Ford. The Fayetteville, N.C. native clocked 51.20 to win the event, posting the second best time in Gamecock indoor history. In addition, Ford’s time ranks first in the NCAA this season. Ford’s teammate, Zaya Akins, also posted a new personal best in the 400m, running 52.15 to place third overall in the event. Akins’ new personal best time also ranks third in the NCAA and is currently third in the world standings.

The Gamecock women competed in just two field events with Omaria Gordon recording a new personal best in the women’s long jump for the third consecutive meet. The freshman jumper posted a mark of 6.19m (20-3.75) for the seventh best indoor long jump in program history, finishing fifth overall.

South Carolina’s men’s team captured one win as well, as Channing Ferguson secured the title in the men’s long jump. The All-American athlete jumped 7.47m (24-6.25) for the win, recording the seventh best jump in program history and ranking 16th in the NCAA.

All three Gamecocks who ran the men’s 400m set new personal best times, led by Josiah Wrice who clocked 46.38 for the sixth best indoor time in program history. In addition, Wrice’s 400m debut currently ranks him fifth on the NCAA leaderboard.

The Gamecocks will return to action tomorrow in the final day of the 2025 Corky Classic. The first event for South Carolina will be at noon (EST) with the women’s 200 meter sprint.

Men’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
19. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 6.77q
21. Anthony Greenhow – 6.80q

60 Meters (Semis)
18. Antwan Hughes Jr. – 6.76
21. Anthony Greenhow – 6.83

400 Meters
4. Josiah Wrice – 46.38*
10. Devan Crumpton – 47.04*
19. Jasauna Dennis – 47.44*

60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
10. David Warmington – 7.92q

60-Meter Hurdles (Semis)
15. David Warmington – 7.95

Long Jump
1. Channing Ferguson – 7.47m/24-6.25

Women’s Individual Results
60 Meters (Prelims)
9. Cynteria James – 7.40Q
13. McKenzie Travis – 7.42q*
17. Jayla Jamison – 7.46Q

60 Meters (Semis)
9. Cynteria James – 7.31*
11. Jayla Jamison – 7.35
17. McKenzie Travis – 7.44

400 Meters
1. JaMeesia Ford – 51.20*
3. Zaya Akins – 52.15*

60-Meter Hurdles (Prelims)
18. Kennedy Flynn – 8.66q

60-Meter Hurdles (Semis)
17. Kennedy Flynn – 8.66

Long Jump
5. Omaria Gordon – 6.19m/20-3.75*