South Carolina lawmakers fail to reach deal on hemp regulation

COLUMBIA, S.C. (WIS) - South Carolina lawmakers adjourned without reaching an agreement on hemp regulation, leaving one of their top legislative priorities unresolved as federal changes loom over the industry.

After months of debate that began in February, divisions between the House and Senate prevented any proposal from advancing, meaning no new rules will take effect this year for hemp-derived products sold across the state.

The debate centers on drinks, gummies, and other products containing intoxicating THC that are currently sold in retail stores and gas stations and remain federally legal under existing guidelines.

The Senate approved a plan that would have required low-dose hemp beverages to be sold behind the counter and restricted higher-dose products to liquor stores. However, the proposal stalled in the House, where it failed to secure enough votes to move forward.

Supporters of the measure argued it would protect children from accessing intoxicating products.

“Not one person got up today and said children should be able to buy this in South Carolina, and yet we have before us today the way to stop that,” said Rep. Weston Newton, a Republican and chairman of the House Judiciary Committee.

Opponents warned the proposal would harm businesses across the state’s growing hemp industry.

“If we do this right here, we’re going to actually cripple the hemp industry in the state of South Carolina, and this is going to be on every one of you guys,” said Rep. Greg Ford, a Republican from Dorchester County.

The failed House vote effectively ends any chance of new hemp regulations this year.

The stalemate comes as federal policy may soon shift. The White House this week urged Congress to ensure fair treatment of hemp-derived products or delay changes to current law. Under existing federal provisions, many hemp products — including those currently sold in stores — could become illegal as soon as November.

Some South Carolina lawmakers pointed to that uncertainty as a reason to hold off on passing state-level regulations.

“If we act now, we may be creating some unintended consequences that are unnecessary when the federal government has already foreshadowed they’re going to do something,” said Rep. Gil Gatch, a Republican from Dorchester County.

But others said the lack of action leaves consumers unprotected and allows an unregulated market to continue.

“I do feel that it’s an urgency,” said Rep. Chris Wooten, a Republican from Lexington County. “It was urgent three years ago, and we’re still here. It was urgent two years ago, and we’re still here.”

With no legislation passed, hemp products will remain largely unregulated in South Carolina for now.

Lawmakers also left Columbia without finalizing the state budget. The House and Senate remain divided, and a continuing resolution has been enacted to prevent a government shutdown. A full budget agreement is unlikely before the fiscal year ends next week.

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