Hemp products still legal as reworked DUI, THC bills fail

MORNING HEADLINES | South Carolina lawmakers on Thursday rejected reworked bills to strengthen the state’s DUI laws and restrict the sale of THC-infused drinks and edibles to adults 21 and over, likely killing both measures for the year.

Different versions of the bills passed each chamber earlier this year, forcing House and Senate negotiators to craft compromise language that failed to win majorities yesterday. Failure to regulate THC products means they’re still available to everyone – including teens – across the state.

The DUI bill, a top priority of legislative leaders heading into the 2026 session, died in the Senate when a procedural vote required for final passage failed. Meanwhile in the House, industry supporters joined with members favoring a full ban on hemp-derived intoxicants to defeat the THC legislation.

Calling the session “a bad day for public safety,” Senate Majority Leader Shane Massey, an Edgefield Republican, told reporters after the vote that the DUI defeat resulted from a decision to move language on THC-intoxicated driving into the DUI bill, according to a Post and Courier report.

“We had a lot of ‘no’ votes in here on DUI because they didn’t like the deal that we have in THC,” he told reporters, explaining that mixing the two issues splintered the solid Senate majority in support of tougher drunk driving penalties and the closure of procedural loopholes that make it difficult for prosecutors to get convictions.

Conversely, the issue that defeated the THC bill in the House was a requirement that the products be sold in liquor stores, which industry proponents argued was unfair to retailers who’ve been stocking the hemp-derived intoxicants since they were effectively legalized by the 2018 federal farm bill.

“What has made this state great is that the government respects business owners,” said House Minority Leader Todd Rutherford of Richland. “It respects people that employ people, and this is total disrespect to an entire industry.”

The votes came in a summer special session that will next try to find a compromise on the state’s 2026 budget — a process that’s so far been stymied by dueling House and Senate tax cuts. Work on the budget bill is expected to push past the July 1 start of the 2026-27 fiscal year. – Jack O’Toole

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In today’s issue of the Charleston City Paper

CP OPINION: When doing things right doesn’t work. “State and local leaders need to take a long, hard look at a new economic report from Trident United Way and come up with ways to help struggling families, instead of generally ignoring their needs like they’ve done for generations.”

CP CARTOON: Ariail: It was a huge success …
CP CARTOON: Stegelin: Deflecting pool

CP COVER: Lesser-known Lowcountry green spaces deserve some love, too. While the ever-popular Marion Square and Waterfront Park get a lot of attention already, there are several hidden gents tucked away in downtown neighborhoods, beside sea island bridges and more.

CP NEWS: S.C. companies lag on security as cybercrime losses soar. Two-thirds of South Carolina’s largest business enterprises leave their computer systems vulnerable to common email scams — a hole that’s helping to enable a cybercrime spree that the FBI says cost state residents $264 million last year, according to a new report.

CP NEWS: CofC, citizens group disagree on use of site as new dorm. A member of a local citizens group said it and the College of Charleston are at an “impasse” on where the college should build a proposed dormitory.

CP FOOD: And you thought you knew how to cook corn. Need inspiration and tips on the perfect way to prepare the veggie? Look no further than these tips from some of Charleston’s best food professionals.

CP ARTS: Cultural offerings highlight SC 250. As commemorations for the nation’s 250 birthday on July 4 ramp up, Charleston is proving its mettle as an arts and culture hub with a host of festive events, exhibitions and more on offer this week and well beyond. Here are a few standouts to celebrate, Charleston-style.

CP MUSIC: Foxy G’s Birthday Bash returns July 9 to the Pour House. It’s not for us to say whether George Alan Fox, also known as “Foxy G,” is as attractive as his nickname suggests. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder, of course.

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Around town

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