Parents push to legalize medical marijuana in SC

By Gabrielle Komorowski

GREENVILLE, S.C. —Parents of special needs children are pushing to legalize medical marijuana in South Carolina.

WYFF News 4 Investigates found that, right now, some South Carolina parents are using hemp oil to help their sick children.

With the support of her daughter's neurologist, Cathy Stevens began giving her daughter Halle hemp oil one year ago to help reduce her daughter's seizures. Halle also takes medication prescribed by her doctor.  Stevens said, in the one year Halle has taken hemp oil, the results have been dramatic.

"We've seen her go from having one to two seizures per week to one to two a month, Stevens said.
Stevens' daughter Halle has a rare genetic disorder called mitochondrial disease.

"It's sad to describe and she's so incredibly lovable, but she is not able to see or hear particularly well, she can't hold her head up, she doesn't sit up on her own, she doesn't walk or talk, and she has a very suppressed immune system," Stevens said.

Stevens isn't sure how long Halle will live.

"My hope for her is to feel loved and to live the best life that she can while she's on this earth," Stevens said.

The brand of hemp oil Stevens uses is Palmetto Harmony, which is bottled and packaged in South Carolina.  This hemp oil is legal in South Carolina because it contains less than 0.3 percent THC, the psychoactive substance in marijuana.

Stevens tells WYFF News 4 Investigates that more parents in South Carolina are trying hemp oil to reduce their children's seizures.  In addition, some are pushing to legalize medical marijuana to give those who need it access to a stronger dose, which can come in the form of oil or chews.

"I don't want Halle to smoke a joint and get high.  She's not doing that.  We have to overcome this stigma and understand that it works like a medicine," Stevens said.

South Carolina lawmakers voted against a bill to allow doctors to recommend medical marijuana and dispensaries to sell it to people who get doctors' recommendations.

Other states are approving medical marijuana legislation.  Just last week, Louisiana's governor signed a medical marijuana bill into law.  As of today, at least 24 states and Washington, D.C., have laws legalizing medical marijuana in some form, according to government data.

Senator Mike Fair (R-Greenville County) voted against South Carolina's bill and believes legalizing medical marijuana would lead to more recreational use.

"It's going to wind up being abused by those who are getting it illegally, because it's easier to get illegally when it's legal for some," Fair said.

Fair believes children who use medical marijuana may become addicted as adults.

"There are other drugs that will relieve pain," Fair said.

Jarrod Bruder, the Executive Director of the South Carolina Sheriff's Association sent WYFF News 4 Investigates a statement:
"We have all seen and heard the stories of how medical marijuana can help individuals who suffer with seizures, post-traumatic stress disorder, and other debilitating illnesses. 

Collectively, our hearts break for those individuals. We want to do everything within our power to bring relief and comfort to those who suffer, but as Sheriffs, and individuals who are entrusted to live by and enforce the laws of this state, we must stop short of condoning relief that comes through an illegal manner.  

Experts with the FDA need to determine if there is a viable medical use for marijuana, and if there is, they need to determine the best methods to administer such products. Without proper vetting by the FDA, we fear that our State’s attempt to bring relief and comfort to a small, yet important segment of our population, will create an environment that will yield greater illegal drug use and increase the already heavy burden on the law enforcement community to protect and serve our state."
 
Cannabis Forward is a nonprofit with the goal of educating communities about the medical use of cannabis.  Founder Emily McSherry sent WYFF News 4 Investigates a statement:
"Our healthcare providers, patients, and legislators need to be educated on the science of cannabis.

For too long, the stoner stigma has held back scientific endeavors due to legislative restrictions.  As we move forward with the realization of the medicinal value of cannabis, we will expand the opportunity to change lives, save lives with a naturally occurring plant."
 
"Some of the people who voted against it, I think they just need to meet our children," Cathy Stevens said.

"It only makes sense to me that we would be able to get an oil that can be inserted into a G-Tube for a child that's going to have great outcomes, it just make sense that we should be able to accomplish that without having marijuana on every corner for sale," Stevens said.

Senator Tom Davis (R- Beaufort and Jasper Counties), who sponsored the medical marijuana bill, tells WYFF News 4 Investigates he will try again next legislative session.