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South Carolina

CANNABIS DISPENSARY REGULATIONS FOR SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina does not license medical or adult-use cannabis dispensaries. Marijuana remains illegal under state law, and the state has no commercial licensing system for marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, testing, delivery, or retail sales.

Businesses may participate in South Carolina’s legal hemp industry. However, hemp and marijuana are governed by different laws. Products marketed as hemp must satisfy applicable state and federal requirements.

No Commercial Marijuana Licensing

South Carolina does not offer licenses for marijuana dispensaries or other plant-touching marijuana businesses. Therefore, businesses cannot legally cultivate, manufacture, distribute, deliver, or sell marijuana within the state.

Home cultivation is also prohibited. Possession, cultivation, and distribution can result in criminal penalties under the South Carolina Controlled Substances Act.

Julian’s Law and CBD Research

South Carolina enacted Julian’s Law to support limited cannabidiol research involving certain forms of severe epilepsy.

Under the law, qualifying cannabidiol preparations must contain:

  • At least 98% cannabidiol, or CBD, of the total cannabinoid content
  • No more than 0.90% THC by volume

The law applies to patients with Lennox-Gastaut syndrome, Dravet syndrome, or another form of refractory epilepsy that has not responded adequately to traditional treatment.

However, Julian’s Law does not create a standard medical marijuana program. It does not establish a patient registry, license dispensaries, or permit retail CBD sales based solely on a physician’s recommendation.

Instead, it authorizes qualifying academic medical centers to conduct FDA-approved expanded-access clinical trials. Researchers must also obtain the required federal authorization. Additional details appear in the Julian’s Law provisions of the South Carolina Code.

Hemp and CBD Businesses

South Carolina has a separate regulatory system for hemp. The South Carolina Department of Agriculture regulates hemp cultivation, processing, and handling through its Hemp Farming Program.

Legal hemp generally may not contain more than 0.3% delta-9 THC on a dry-weight basis. Businesses involved in growing, processing, handling, or brokering hemp may need permits or other authorization from the Department of Agriculture.

Retail products may also be subject to rules concerning food, cosmetics, labeling, testing, and product claims. A product’s hemp label does not automatically make it legal. Its ingredients, THC concentration, product category, and intended use all matter.

Intoxicating Hemp Products

South Carolina lawmakers have considered additional restrictions for intoxicating hemp-derived products. These proposals have addressed matters such as:

  • Minimum purchasing ages
  • Product testing
  • Packaging and labeling
  • Retail licensing
  • Serving and concentration limits
  • Restrictions on products designed to appeal to children

Proposals including Senate Bill 137, House Bill 3601, and House Bill 4759 had not become law as of this update.

Therefore, businesses should not treat requirements contained in those bills as current law. Still, the proposals show that lawmakers are actively evaluating delta-8 THC, delta-9 THC beverages, and other potentially intoxicating hemp products.

Businesses should obtain product-specific compliance guidance before selling these items. State and federal rules may differ based on the product’s composition and intended use.

Business and Payment Considerations

Because South Carolina has no legal marijuana market, PayRio does not support unlicensed marijuana sales in the state.

Eligible hemp, CBD, and cannabis-adjacent businesses may still need payment services designed for industries that face enhanced underwriting. Approval depends on the products sold, laboratory documentation, marketing practices, ownership, processing history, and other risk factors.

Our guide to payment stability and approval speed explains why transparent underwriting and dependable support are important for regulated merchants.

Learn more about PayRio’s cannabis and hemp payment solutions or contact PayRio to discuss your business.

CANNABIS LEGALIZATION HISTORY IN SOUTH CAROLINA

South Carolina has historically maintained strict marijuana prohibition. Possession, cultivation, and distribution remain criminal offenses outside narrow legal exceptions.

In 2014, the state enacted Julian’s Law. The measure created limited protections for federally authorized CBD research involving patients with severe forms of epilepsy. It did not legalize medical marijuana or establish dispensaries.

After federal hemp legalization in 2018, South Carolina expanded its hemp farming framework. The state now permits licensed or authorized hemp cultivation, processing, and handling under Department of Agriculture oversight.

Lawmakers have also introduced comprehensive medical cannabis proposals. The latest South Carolina Compassionate Care Act, Senate Bill 53, was introduced in January 2025 and referred to the Senate Committee on Medical Affairs. It had not advanced beyond that committee or become law as of this update.

South Carolina therefore remains without a medical marijuana program or adult-use cannabis market.

CANNABIS LEGALIZATION STATUS IN SOUTH CAROLINA

Current Status: Marijuana is illegal for medical and recreational use. Only narrow CBD research and qualifying hemp activity are permitted.

South Carolina law currently provides for:

  • No state-licensed medical or adult-use marijuana dispensaries
  • No commercial marijuana cultivation, manufacturing, or delivery
  • No legal home cultivation
  • Limited CBD clinical research under Julian’s Law
  • Regulated hemp cultivation, processing, and handling
  • No comprehensive medical marijuana patient-access program

Businesses should carefully distinguish legal hemp operations from prohibited marijuana activity. They should also monitor pending state and federal changes affecting intoxicating hemp-derived products.

LAST UPDATED 9/8/2026 – Laws can be revised and updated frequently, so please keep this in mind.