Our Hemp Lifeline Is Under Threat: An Update from a South Carolina Mom

Hello, dear friends, fellow moms, and everyone in our compassionate community—it’s Jill Swing here in Charleston, South Carolina, reaching out with an open heart. For those who know me, or if this is your first time hearing from me, I’m the mom to my beautiful daughter Mary Louise, who’s faced severe epilepsy since she was so little. As president and co-founder of the SC Compassionate Care Alliance, I’ve spent over a decade advocating gently but persistently for the tools that bring relief and peace to families like ours.

Twelve years ago, we fought hard—and won—the right to access legal CBD and hemp products in our state. That victory gave us something precious: a safe, reliable way to help Mary Louise through the toughest days. Those products became our quiet lifeline, reducing seizures and bringing moments of calm we hadn’t dared hope for. I’ve always believed South Carolina could take the next compassionate step toward full medical cannabis, building on that foundation with care and science.

Hemp Ban: The Current Threat

But lately, my heart has been heavy. Instead of moving forward together, we’re seeing proposals that feel like steps backward—threatening the very hemp products we’ve depended on for so long. It’s deep concern for families who might lose access to what helps them most. I want you all to know what is happening right now in our statehouse so you can understand what’s at stake and how we might protect what matters.

Right now, the focus is on preserving these hemp-derived options that so many rely on for everyday relief—whether for pain, anxiety, sleep, or, like in our home, managing epilepsy. A federal change from late last year sets a strict limit on THC in these products starting in November 2026, which could affect availability nationwide. Here in South Carolina, state lawmakers are considering measures that might accelerate or deepen those restrictions, potentially clearing shelves of products we’ve used safely for years.

One key bill is H 3924, which passed the House last year and is now in the Senate Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee (with a subcommittee hearing noted for February). It would prohibit sales of hemp-derived consumables to anyone under 21, along with other age-verification and marketing rules. While protecting young people is something we all care about deeply, the broader impact could limit access for adults who need these for legitimate health reasons, and it might signal tighter controls ahead.

Other proposals add to the worry: Bills like H 4758 aim toward a broader ban on intoxicating hemp products, while H 4759 would regulate certain hemp beverages more like alcohol—with licensing fees that could raise costs for everyone and restrictions on where they’re sold. Hemp-derived gummies face particular risk of being prohibited entirely under some frameworks. These changes could make safe, regulated options harder to find or afford, pushing families toward less certain paths.

Safe Medical Access?

For so many of us—moms caring for children with medical needs, people managing chronic conditions—this isn’t about recreation; it’s about quality of life. We’ve seen the difference these products make, and losing them would be heartbreaking. I testified last November about how these aren’t “getting high”—they’re about keeping our loved ones alive and thriving, sharing Mary Louise’s story to remind everyone of the human side. You can read more about that discussion here.

I never imagined we’d be defending ground we thought was secure. But I still hold hope. South Carolina has shown compassion before, and with thoughtful voices raised together, we can encourage regulations that protect children without taking away relief for those who need it.

If this resonates with you—if you’re holding on to similar hopes for your family—please consider joining the conversation. Reach out through the Marijuana Policy Project, contact your senators about these bills, or connect with me. We’re stronger when we share our stories with kindness and clarity.

Thank you for listening with an open heart. Let’s hold on to hope, one gentle step at a time.

With love and gratitude,
Jill Swing
Charleston, SC
February 7, 2026