SC lawmakers seek hemp-THC restrictions pending federal action

South Carolina legislators moved to restrict THC hemp products, though a later legislative attempt ultimately failed to limit sales.

FILE — statehouse · B.D. Gilfry / CC BY-SA 2.0

South Carolina legislators sought to restrict THC hemp products in June 2026, citing anticipated congressional action on the issue. The move came against a backdrop of conflicting state positions: law enforcement had urged rejection of hemp-THC legalization in February, while the Senate had approved a bill in March authorizing hemp-THC drinks and gummies with restrictions.

However, a subsequent SC Daily Gazette report indicated the legislature failed to limit THC hemp product sales, leaving such products legally available in the state. The restriction effort appears to have stalled despite initial legislative interest, suggesting internal disagreement over whether hemp-THC products warrant state-level controls.

Watch whether federal rescheduling of marijuana—which could activate an obscure SC medical marijuana statute—shifts state lawmakers' appetite for hemp-THC restrictions or creates regulatory clarity that eliminates the need for interim state limits.