As Federal Pressure Mounts, South Carolina Considers Regulating Hemp for the First Time

South Carolina has consistently adopted a softer, “hands-off” approach to regulating hemp products in the market. It all started with the boom in hemp products with the passage of the 2018 Farm Bill. When neighboring states (North Carolina, Georgia) were tightening rules and setting up inspection systems, the State of South Caroline allowed hemp product categories to emerge with minimal oversight.

However, the year 2025 has brought a rude wake-up call to all farmers, retailers, and state legislators alike in South Carolina. It is due to the coming of the new Federal law banning hemp and cannabinoid products in November 2026 across the U.S. that are over 0.4 milligrams of THC per container, including delta-9, delta-8, delta-10, and other THC-class cannabinoids.

This ban could include vapes, gummies, CBD oils, and other hemp products that exceed the 0.4 milligrams limit. Many do cross this limit, with research indicating that THC companies offer inaccurately labelled products that contain more THC than would be allowed in adult-use states.

The list of products impacted by the Federal bill will not be clear until the Food and Drug Administration publishes its list of cannabinoid products in 90 days and provides a definition for a container.

Thus, South Carolina, by necessity rather than by choice, has been forced to establish its first comprehensive regulatory framework for hemp-related products. You can refer it to as the South Carolina Hemp Regulation of 2025. The shift has caused ripples among the local hemp business owners, state lawmakers, and adult consumers.

South Carolina’s Past Soft Stance And New Approach Toward Hemp Products

South Carolina developed only basic guidelines for hemp cultivation, such as requiring growers to obtain permits when the hemp boom began. No product checking framework or age limit was established in the state law from the get-go. 

A child can buy and drink the cannabis beverage under the current South Carolina state law, which is quite alarming. This has all come to a head with the upcoming Federal restrictions and the removal of age restrictions. 

The presence of multi-color, inaccurate, or misleading labels on hemp-induced products available in stores all over the state is further worsening the situation. Now, the state is forced to pivot on its policy formation completely.

South Carolina’s New State-Level Crackdown On Hemp Products

South Carolina state law, under proposed Bill H. 3924, is trying to regulate consumable hemp products by restricting retailers from selling to underage individuals. A big step has been to mandate signs stating that buying the product underage is a crime and restricting marketing. The bill was passed in the State House in April and is now facing Senate subcommittee approval.

Although the ban is not in effect yet, the South Carolina law enforcement has practically started raiding several Clemson-area stores that sell hemp-based products, with the aid of surrounding cities’ police forces. The goal is to clear products with over the Federal limit potency of THC in them.

Rising Fear Among The South Carolina Hemp-Related Business Owners And Users

Business owners and retailers across South Carolina are facing uncertain times and rising fear due to proposed changes in the state regulations. Some, like Pierce Wylie, CEO of THC beverage company, in an interview with the State, are calling for imposing rules on THC product production/sale, and to avoid an outright ban on such products, to retain their business operations.

Some small shop owners selling high-dose THC cans and beverages are already shutting down their businesses, due to constant police raids and their product shelves getting confiscated by the police for testing purposes. 

In such uncertain times, Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina met with concerned families and hemp farmers to discuss how the new regulations would affect their lives and businesses, according to Fox California.

The Senator met with concerned families of kids suffering from Epilepsy and showing progress due to controlled hemp product dosages. In his post-meeting statement, the Senator also discussed 2 reported cases of kids ingesting high-dose THC gummies, thinking them to be candies, in South Carolina. 

Assurances were provided in this meeting to maintain good hemp products and eliminate those of poor quality at the state level. However, families and hemp farmers say if they cannot find a resolution with state lawmakers, some are willing to move to another state for their businesses and families. 

On the other side, state Senator Michael Johnson, R-York, head of the local state senate committee, is debating whether to put an outright ban or just regulate high-dosage THC products in South Carolina.

The South Carolina Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel is also asking for a product ban  rather than regulation due to his concerns with the safety of the products and their target marketing at young kids.

The Impact Of No Past Regulation In South Carolina For Hemp Products

Marijuana has been illegal in South Carolina. But high THC products flourished with no checks and balances or lab testing imposed by the state law. Other states adopted retail regulations early by testing standards, applying packaging rules, and setting age limits. 

With already set-up systems that met many federal expectations, such states are more readily prepared to deal with a stricter Federal ban in 2026. Now, South Carolina legislators are scrambling to set up a licensing framework and sending enforcement teams to clear high-THC showing hemp products from retail shelves. 

The absence of past regulation at the state level is making the sudden police changes at the Federal level quite harsh for local growers, retailers, and farmers. Many argue that if the state had adopted modest rules earlier, the current federal crackdown would have been easier to manage.

Conclusion

For years, South Carolina kept its hemp regulations minimal. Businesses thrived, products sold, and few complained. However, the 2025 law change regarding hump products has exposed the flaw in such a lax approach. Now, the state has to establish an entire policy framework from scratch, which other states have spent years refining regarding THC product sales and production.

One thing is crystal clear: the upcoming 2025 South Carolina hemp regulation will define the coming years of the hemp industry in the state. Business owners fear sudden rule changes, and consumers are unsure what the future holds.

Some experts also suggest that an outright ban in SC can also promote illicit trading of unregulated high-dose THC products, an alarming aspect. The key is to be mentally prepared for all possibilities as a shop owner, retailer, manufacturer, or consumer.