South Carolina continues to enforce some of the strictest cannabis laws in the country, leaving little room for legal weed access in 2025. While limited CBD-based products are permitted for specific medical conditions, most forms of marijuana remain illegal under state law. This page explains the current legal status of cannabis in South Carolina, including recreational restrictions, narrow medical allowances, and the outlook for future reform. For readers looking to compare laws across regions, you can explore a broader breakdown of cannabis regulations by state, city, and country in our Cannabis Laws by Location guide.
Table of Contents
Is marijuana legal in South Carolina 2025
1. Recreational Marijuana: Illegal
- Status: Fully prohibited.
- Possession Penalties:
- First offense (≤1 oz): Misdemeanor, up to 30 days in jail + $200 fine.
- Repeat offense: Increased jail time and fines.
- No decriminalization: Even small amounts result in criminal charges.
2. Medical Marijuana: Severely Limited
- Legal Status: Not fully legal.
- Allowed Use: Only low-THC, high-CBD oil (≤0.9% THC, ≥15% CBD).
- Qualifying Conditions: Severe epilepsy (e.g., Lennox-Gastaut, Dravet syndrome).
- Access:
- No state-run dispensaries.
- No in-state cultivation.
- Legal but practically inaccessible.
3. Recent Legislative Efforts
- “South Carolina Compassionate Care Act”:
- Introduced in multiple sessions (latest in 2023).
- Would allow limited medical cannabis for certain conditions.
- Includes licensing for dispensaries, physicians, and growers.
- Status: Not passed as of 2025.
4. Public Opinion and Outlook
- Public Support: Growing for medical use.
- Political Climate: Conservative legislature resistant to change.
- Forecast: Major legalization unlikely without significant political shift.
Summary:
In 2025, marijuana is illegal for recreational use and extremely restricted for medical purposes in South Carolina. Legislative reform efforts exist but have not succeeded.
