Potential legislation to regulate S.C. hemp industry awaits Senate passage

CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCSC) - A Senate bill that would regulate the hemp industry in South Carolina now sits in committee with the Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources.

If passed, it would ensure all businesses are providing safe and consistent products for South Carolinians.

All hemp retailers would have to be licensed and every product on South Carolina store shelves would have to be tested through a certificate of analysis.

Those backing the bill said the point of the legislation is for consumers to know exactly what they are taking when they purchase hemp-based products.

Founder of Coastal Green Wellness, a retail dispensary company, David Spang, explained that this legislation would take some of the responsibility off of consumers in the state.

“Right now, consumers have to navigate the market and make sure they are finding reputable businesses and establishments providing products,” Spang said. “It takes a lot of that weight off, because they know now that under this license, they have to go through certain safety and testing steps, they know that any product they are buying on a South Carolina shelf has had these safety steps applied to it.”

Spang said moving forward it’s all about keeping the momentum on this bill moving and he is confident that towards the end of this session, it will be voted on.

To read the bill, click here.