Under the proposed Compassionate Care Act (S.150), patients under the age of 18 will only qualify for a marijuana card if their parent or guardian submits an application and is responsible for the frequency and route of administration of cannabis products. The parent or guardian may choose another adult caregiver to take this responsibility.

Although not a minor, patients aged 18-23 must receive certifications from two physicians.

Like adult patients, all minors must also meet the qualification conditions. That includes having a qualifying condition, including multiple sclerosis, a neurological disease or disorder, sickle cell anemia, PTSD, autism, inflammatory bowel disease, cachexia, a condition causing severe or persistent nausea, terminal illness, or a chronic condition causing severe and persistent muscle spasms.

Yes. To obtain a medical marijuana card, you will need the approval of a South Carolina-licensed MD, DO, or podiatrist. As part of your certification, a physician must perform a thorough in-person evaluation covering medical history, social history, family history, and alcohol and substance abuse history.

Your physician will review your medical records. In particular, physicians will look for a history of addiction, mental illness, and psychotic disorders alongside any therapies which failed to work.

Yes. If your primary care doctor is a South Carolina-licensed medical doctor, they are eligible to prescribe medical marijuana according to the Compassionate Care Act. However, prior to issuing any certifications, physicians must register with the Department for Health and Environmental Control (DHEC). Part of the application includes:

• Physicians who provide certifications must undergo a specialized training course related to cannabis, lasting three hours each year.
• The DHEC is responsible for developing the official certification form. This form must be filled out by the physicians on behalf of their patients to be eligible to apply for medical cannabis use.

Medical marijuana cards will automatically expire after 12 months. However, if a physician believes a patient will recover within a year or no longer needs cannabis, they’re legally required to make a notation so the ID expires earlier.

Patients will need to undergo the same process each time they apply for a new card, including a medical examination and history review.

Currently, as the Compassionate Care Act is yet to pass, we do not know if insurance companies will cover the costs of medical marijuana. Please speak to your insurance provider or Medicaid official for a detailed answer.

Despite cannabis being legal in 75% of the United States (as of early 2024), all forms of marijuana remain a Schedule I drug according to the Federal Government. As such, most private and public insurance companies refuse to pay for medical marijuana, even if recommended by a physician. Doing so could risk prosecution from the Federal Government.

Certain FDA-approved cannabinoid-based medications, such as Epidiolex, Marinol, and Cesamet, are covered by some insurance providers. However, even these drugs are only covered in certain circumstances. These drugs are not the same as cannabis, and the effects can vary.

Some states do allow for the reimbursement of medical marijuana purchases, including New Hampshire and New Mexico, as Medicaid has a state component. South Carolina may choose to follow the precedent set by these states.