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COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — South Carolina Sen. Tom Davis walked as much as the effectively of the Senate about 1:45 p.m. Wednesday to lastly get the medical marijuana debate to which he has devoted greater than seven years of his legislative profession.
The Senate unanimously agreed to debate the invoice by the Republican from Beaufort till it will get a vote come what may. And Davis, carrying his thick binder as much as the rostrum, collectively requested the 44 senators who fill the chamber the identical factor he has stated in one-on-one discussions since he began vowing to get this vote in 2015 to sufferers who stated they want marijuana to uninteresting debilitating ache or different medical issues.
“In the event you’ve acquired different concepts, when you’ve acquired methods to make this invoice higher, I’m up for that,” Davis stated.
Davis' invoice has been fastidiously crafted throughout that point. He stated it could be some of the conservative medical marijuana payments within the nation.
Individuals utilizing medical marijuana couldn't smoke it, having as an alternative to make use of use oils, salves, patches or vaporizers.
Medical doctors must meet sufferers in individual, checking for any historical past of substance abuse and making a written remedy plan. Sufferers may get solely two-week provides at one time.
The proposal specifies the diseases that might be handled, together with most cancers, a number of sclerosis, glaucoma, sickle cell anemia and autism.
The marijuana might be obtained solely by means of particular dispensaries run by a state-licensed pharmacist, doctor assistant or medical observe nurse.
Davis is adamant that the aim of this invoice is to not open the door to legalizing leisure marijuana.
“I don’t apologize for that. That is one thing new. I feel it is crucial we proceed cautiously,” Davis stated.
However there may be loads of opposition from regulation enforcement, spiritual teams and fellow Republicans. Because the Senate gaveled into session Wednesday and Davis organized his ideas at his desk, there was a information convention outdoors the Statehouse the place a lawmaker and a bunch representing conservatives spoke as regulation enforcement officers stood behind them.
Palmetto Household Council President Dave Wilson puzzled why the state Senate prioritized the marijuana debate over different points like chopping taxes or defending spiritual liberty.
Republican Sen. Greg Hembree stated Davis’ invoice helps the large enterprise of marijuana greater than sufferers.
“This isn't medical marijuana. That is marijuana,” stated Hembree, a former prosecutor from Little River. “This can be a method to dispense marijuana to a overwhelming majority of individuals. And let me make one different level very clear: It's not about drugs. It's not about medical remedy. It's about cash. It's about some huge cash.”
It’s not the primary time Davis has taken the Senate effectively on the difficulty. In 2016, in the course of the 5 minutes senators can discuss private points every day, he walked as much as the identical podium for weeks with a blown up picture in hand to inform the story of a special one who suffered and wished medical marijuana.
The start of the talk confirmed it received’t be fast and the end result is unsure.
Sen. Sandy Senn of Charleston, from one of many least conservative districts held by a Republican, stated she was nonetheless studying the invoice however in the meanwhile she felt like passing it could open a door the state may by no means shut and make marijuana broadly obtainable.
“I can go to the physician and say my knee hurts. My knee has been hurting for six years. I've persistent ache,” Senn stated. “These docs are going to be mainly prescribing marijuana for all the pieces as a result of they'll prescribe opioids for something.”
Davis replied there are particular standards docs should observe. And he saved speaking for greater than three hours.
“South Carolinians don’t wish to be like California or Colorado,” Davis stated. They wish to take a child step right here.“
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Comply with Jeffrey Collins on Twitter at https://twitter.com/JSCollinsAP.