MYRTLE BEACH, SC (WBTW)- Medical marijuana did not pass the Legislature, but law makers are still pushing to spend money to study it’s effects. Money from the state budget will go to MUSC and USC’s college of pharmacy to study the effects of medical marijuana. Law makers and first responders said it could help with PTSD.
“I didn’t serve in the military, but I served this country in different ways. I worked ground zero during 9/11 and dedicated everything I had,” said Jim Holland.
Jim Holland then had to medically resign after he was diagnosed with cancer.
“My chemo was about to kill me and brought me down to a low that no human should ever feel,” said Holland.
He tried medical marijuana once and it changed him.
“I gained weight, I gained respect, I was able to eat my food,” said Holland.
Here in South Carolina he can’t use it. Along with being a cancer survior, Jim suffers from PTSD.
“Those who have been in service, we’ve witnessed death, we’ve had to deal with it. It’s hard. We walk around in our uniforms adn we look proud and we look you in the eye and that it doesn’t bother you, but it does because deep down inside beneath the uniforms we’re human. Maybe I’m that person who could use this help,” said Holland.
Representative James Smith, who is also running for governor served in the military. He said he wants that health care option in the palmetto state.
“It has been proven to be very important in dealing with anxiety and their ability to get back home and maintain the stuff that we do on a daily basis,” said Rep. Smith.
Rep. Smith said he knows veterans who have left the state to get access to medical marijuana.
“I would like not to be the last to take these steps and we are often the bottom of the list that we ought to be the top of and among those include the health of our citizens,” said Rep. Smith.
Even though the bill didn’t pass, Rep Smith said it’s made the most progress ever by making it out of the house medical affairs committee. He thinks it has a good shot at passing next legislative session.
News 13 reached out to Governor Henry McMaster’s campaign about the issue, and a spokesperson said, “Per his previous comments on the issue the Governor agrees with the law enforcement community that legalization is a bad idea and remains opposed to it,”
As for the study, that has to be done by January before the next legislative session starts.