Put Patients First

A BILL TO AMEND THE CODE OF LAWS OF SOUTH CAROLINA, 1976, TO ENACT THE "PUT PATIENTS FIRST ACT" BY ADDING ARTICLE 22 TO CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 SO AS TO AUTHORIZE REGISTERED PATIENTS TO USE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL PURPOSES, PHYSICIANS TO RECOMMEND THE MEDICAL USE OF MARIJUANA FOR THOSE PATIENTS, AND INDIVIDUALS TO ACT AS REGISTERED CAREGIVERS FOR THOSE PATIENTS, ALL WITH EXCEPTIONS; TO CREATE A CONFIDENTIAL REGISTRY THROUGH WHICH TO ISSUE IDENTIFICATION CARDS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS AND REGISTERED CAREGIVERS; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND OTHER PROTECTIONS TO REGISTERED PATIENTS, REGISTERED CAREGIVERS, AND PHYSICIANS FROM CRIMINAL LIABILITY AND PROFESSIONAL DISCIPLINE FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO AUTHORIZE THE OPERATION OF DISPENSARIES TO CULTIVATE, GROW, AND DISPENSE MARIJUANA FOR MEDICAL USE; TO PROVIDE CERTAIN DEFENSES AND PROTECTIONS TO DISPENSARIES FOR CONDUCT AUTHORIZED BY THIS ARTICLE; TO ALLOW ESTABLISHMENT OF FEES; TO CREATE CRIMINAL PENALTIES; TO PROVIDE FOR THE PROMULGATION OF REGULATIONS AND DEVELOPMENT OF GUIDANCE AND FORMS; AND FOR OTHER PURPOSES; AND TO REPEAL ARTICLE 4, CHAPTER 53, TITLE 44 RELATING TO CONTROLLED SUBSTANCES THERAPEUTIC RESEARCH.