South Carolina NORML Calls It Quits, Here's Why The Local Cannabis Advocacy Group Disbanded

One of the most progressive cannabis advocacy organizations in South Carolina is disbanding, reported The Post and Courier.

Following its seven-year presence, South Carolina NORML -the local chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws -has decided to give up on its non-profit status this year.

The group’s founder and director Scott Weldon told the Post and Courier that the organization's move follows the departure of both its treasurer and two out of four members from its board earlier this year.

Fined After Losing Non-Profit Status

When Weldon did not submit his paperwork on time to the state since the group was in a transition phase between treasurers, their non-profit status expired. The state then imposed a $2,000 fine for continuing to solicit donations.

“I had to make a decision,” he said in an interview with the Post and Courier. “Do I want to continue to deal with this every year, the angst and anxiety of getting these papers filed with the secretary of state? I don’t think we ever brought in more than $3,000 or $4,000 in a year. It’s not like we’re making big money or anything.”

He told the news outlet that the effort needed to maintain the organization as a non-profit was no longer working for him since he is also working as a park ranger within the Charleston County Parks and Recreation system and produces a podcast about cannabis law reform on a weekly basis.

“When I started it, I founded the organization primarily because I had more time than money. I thought, ‘well, I’ll put in the time and hopefully people can donate some money and we can get something accomplished.’ But things have changed over the past seven years.”

NORML was founded in 1970, making it the oldest continuously functioning cannabis advocacy group in the U.S. and therefore the world.

SC Cannabis Legalization Efforts

Meanwhile, both recreational and medical usage of marijuana remains prohibited in South Carolina, though CBD oil is exclusively granted to eligible patients diagnosed with epilepsy, specifically for chronic seizures.

Still, advocates and lawmakers in South Carolina remained determined to legalize medical marijuana.

The amended legislation, the S.C. Compassionate Care Act which had undergone numerous hearings in over a dozen subcommittees over eight years., was referred to the State Committee on Medical Affairs earlier this year. This bill would allow patients to access marijuana sold by state-licensed dispensaries upon a doctor's recommendation for the treatment of qualifying conditions.

Debilitating medical conditions for which patients could receive a medical cannabis recommendation include cancer, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), Crohn’s disease and autism, among others, per the legislation.

Meanwhile, a poll conducted by Winthrop University in 2022 showed that more than three-fourths of South Carolina voters are in favor of medical cannabis. “Support for medical marijuana has been growing in South Carolina with sizable majorities from both parties favoring it,” said Scott Huffmon, director of the Winthrop Poll that weighted the opinion of 1298 respondents. A poll from this year showed South Carolinians want the cannabis policy change.