The world of CBD can be tricky to navigate, as new and confusing laws and regulations seem to pop up everywhere you look. If you are a visitor to South Carolina, you have possibly found yourself posing the question, is CBD legal in SC? In simple words, it is legal, but there are quite a few significant stipulations attached to that little word. That simple understanding will allow you to appreciate any advantage of CBD products without falling into any form of trouble.

The state is welcoming enough to the hemp industry, but South Carolina with a strict law distinguishes between hemp products and marijuana. This article will cover everything possible about South Carolina hemp and CBD regulations regarding 2025 and will help you to become a sagacious consumer. We will look at the rules that apply, what products are allowed and how to be smart with spending.

In Brief: Is CBD Legal In SC?

In South Carolina, yes, it is legal to possess and use CBD, as long as it falls under the category of industrial hemp derived compounds — with its dry weight not exceeding 0.3% delta-9 Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).

Any cannabis-derived product with a THC content greater than 0.3% is considered marijuana and cannot be open for recreational use.

Various forms of CBD products such as oils, gummy bears, creams, etc. can be obtained potentially without prior prescription or medical card, purchased and consumed. The issue of legality is cannabidiol alone, as with what is inside it, THC only. Among the old questions is CBD legal in SC, the one that is most precise is: ‘Yes, as long as it comes from hemp and falls below 0.3% THC.

The Configurations Within Which CBD Consumption Is Legal in the State of SC

It was not always possible to buy CBD in South Carolina and the specific reasons why it is nowadays banned or allowed have taken a long time to unfold. CBD legality was influenced on both federal and state level by several important figures. These two critical acts must be considered to understand how one can purchase CBD at a nearby health shop.

The Details of Marijuana Legislation: The Farm Bill of 2018

The history of CBD legality in America begins with the Agriculture Improvement Act of 2018, also known as the 2018 Farm Bill. This significant piece of federal legislation finally excluded hemp from the Controlled Substances Act’s marijuana domain. It allowed growing and marketing of industrial hemp at the national level.

The draft law incorporated the definition of hemp, as any plant of the species Cannabis sativa, including its parts, which contains no more than 0.3% of delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. Thus, in an effort to create a hemp market in the United States as a whole, this development also allowed individual American states to introduce their regulatory regimes. South Carolina was one of those states wishing for such developments in order to introduce their regulatory regime on hemp and CBD.

South Carolina’s Step Forward: The Hemp Farming Act

In 2019, following the example of the federal government, the House Bill 3449, South Carolina Hemp Farming Act, was adopted by the state. It brought the state law in effect with the 2018 Farm Bill and set up the commercial hemp program within the state.

This Act appoints a regulatory agency which is the South Carolina Department of Agriculture (SCDA). The SCDA has the responsibility of licensing the hemp cultivators and verifying whether the hemp grown in every county within the state does not exceed the 0.3% THC content prescribed. Hence the reason why the question is good news is CBD legal in SC is easy to answer as yes, today.

Important Information for CBD Buyers in South Carolina

It is one thing to understand that CBD product is for sale and quite another to be a CBD consumer. In order to appreciate the application of the law, as well as acquire a good product, one must know all the facts even if it’s the THC percentage of the product and the kinds of products wished to be purchased.

The 0.3% THC Law PITS Everything in Clothes

It is important to reiterate that the reference to the delta-9 THC 0.3% threshold is not a suggestion but a stern regulation. It can be likened to non-alcoholic beverages which do contain alcohol but cannot cause intoxication. In the same vein, the CBD products extracted from hemp were formulated not to reach the levels of THC needed for the euphoric effects.

The credible companies get their samples tested for THC levels by impartial, special laboratories. There is a written report for those analyses known as the Certificate of Analysis (COA). When you are looking forward to buying a CBD product, you have to make sure that the COA is available. Where it shows that the product is within the legal limits.

Different Kinds of CBD Products That Are Sold in South Carolina

There are a variety of CBD products that are available within South Carolina. Several of them are absolutely lawful for use while others can be employed but with caution as they are not clearly prohibited by law. The question of permission-granting be used as the baseline of the answer when asked is CBD legal in SC or not.

• CBD Products: In South Carolina, the most accepted and legal CBD items are in the form of oils and tinctures. They are available in dropper form and can be used in placing a few drops below the tongue.
• CBD Edible Gummies and Capsules: Chewable products such as gummies and chocolates; and condition specific capsules are permissible as long as the THC content does not exceed 0.3%. These products are available in the market, however, they are already packed and ready for use.
• Medicinal CBD Body Lotions: All creams, balms, and medicated lotions containing even a bit of cannabidiol are allowed by law and even ubiquitous. These are skin care treatments that neither circulate in the body nor reach the blood vessels.
• Hemp Flower for Smoking: Now this is the part where things start to get a little complicated. It is legal to possess hemp flower as long as it does not exceed the THC limit; however, it is impossible for law enforcement to distinguish it from marijuana both those plants which are in view and those ones which are within the range of smell. This is to say that smoking weed- which is legal in certain states should not be done in public. There is the possibility that I will get into trouble with the law even when I am not wrong. It is safer to smoke hemp in a private place.

State Age and Possession Regulations

Presently, South Carolina does not have mandatory restrictions on purchase how many years certain ages should strike. Yet the norm which is adopted by most good merchants for the minimum customers age is 18 and sometimes, 21 years old. Products made of hemp containing CBD are not illegal in South Carolina, and there is no stipulation on how much a person can carry.

Is CBD Legal in SC in Terms of Hemp-Derived and Marijuana-Derived CBD?

In regards to cannabis types, there is, however, no major difference between hemp and marijuana, only one of a legal classification and that is the reason why it is the key consideration used when determining whether or not a certain CBD product is considered legal in the state of South Carolina, for both THC-containing and THC-free products. Both the hemp and marijuana plants come from the cannabis species, but the level of THC in each plant is the major distinguishing factor.

With that being said, the contrasting features can be presented in the following table:

This table makes it apparent why it is essential to know the genesis of CBD. This assertion brings us to where it is confirmed that is CBD legal in SC. The phrase product here is refraining to CBD derived from hemp only.

Other Cannabinoids: Delta 8 in SC

The narrative around cannabis has not only remained at the two levels that is the CBD and the delta 9 THC. Perhaps you have encountered such additional products as Delta 8 THC, Delta 10 THC, and HHC. But, are such products legally acceptable in South Carolina?

In general, they are, as of the end of 2025. The legal definition of hemp contained in the South Carolina Hemp Farming Act depends on its “delta 9 THC” content. Given that the cannabinoids such as Delta 8 which are distinct from delta 9 are extracted from lawful hemp, they are in some form of a grey area. This implies, under the current statutes, such forms do not fall within the scope of the cited laws.

But this area of law is evolving quite rapidly. In states as well, moves have been made to either regulate or ban such “intoxicating hemp derived cannabinoids.” While South Carolina is not one among them, keeping abreast of any possible changes in this regard is advisable. The same compounds are known to have less clear cut legality compared to normal CBD.

Pocket Guide for Buying Legal CBD in South Carolina

Once you fully comprehend the law, the next step is to look for, and use high quality and functional items. The first aspect in answering ‘is CBD legal in SC’ is the conclusion that it is legal, then sourcing a reliable product.

• Verify the Certificate of Analysis (COA) Without Fail: This is the key step. A COA from an independent laboratory verifies the content of cannabinoids in the product most relevant being concentrations of THC and presence of any pesticides and heavy metals. Very many consumers scan the QR codes on modern-day packages or some website of a well-established brand and find the COA.
• Select Credible Brands: Prefer buying only from well-reputed shops that specialize in CBD, wellness facilities, or brands that are known for their good reputation. Never purchase from gas stations or flea markets as you may be disappointed with the quality of the product or even the labels.
• Look at the Details on the Label: A good product’s label ought to include the CBD content in every serving, the actual weight, ingredients, manufacturing company and specific batch number which matches with the COA.
• Comprehend the Source: Seek US-made items that come from organic hemp cultivation. The United States implements tighter farming standards more successfully than most countries, therefore typically provides a much more superior end product.

FAQ

Is It Possible To Purchase CBD In South Carolina Without A Medical Card?

Actually, it is not necessary to obtain a medical card or a doctor’s note to be able to purchase CBD products derived from hemp and containing less than 0.3% tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). South Carolina, however, does have a very limited, disease specific medical cannabis program also known as Julian’s Law that does not involve hemp CBD.

Am I allowed to carry CBD while travelling to SC?

Yes, there is no problem in carrying CBD products which are derived from hemp to South Carolina provided they meet the threshold limit of 0.3% of THC. This is thanks to the 2018 Farm Bill, which makes these products legitimate across all the states, even making it possible to allow movement with the product.

Is Hemp Cultivation Possible for Citizens in the State of South Carolina?

No is the answer. In South Carolina, hemp cultivation can only be done by applying for a permit through the South Carolina Department of Agriculture under their Hemp Farming Program. You may not grow hemp without such permits. Therefore, it is CBD legal in SC, but there are still some limitations.

Could you let me know please whether the CBD usage contradicting the law leads to a failure in drug testing?

Perhaps. There is highly unlikely to be any CBD testing in typical drug screening because the cannabinoid studied in a laboratory is predominantly the THC. Although we do know that most ordinary CBD based products have minimum levels of the active compound in their composition which could accumulate in the body and produce a positive result for a test, there is a potential for using full blood screen product over a period of time leading to the same active ingredient. People and especially working ones need to go for the pure CBD without tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) also known as isolate or broad spectrums without the THC context in countries where these drugs are allowed to be taken for drug tests that may not be in the relevant drug test.

Can adults have marijuana in South Carolina?

Let me explain it in a simpler way; No, South Carolina does not allow either recreational marijuana use or the use of marijuana for medical purposes. Crossing the boundaries of how to transport weed to another country would lead to a penalty. This is what makes the difference and why the answer to the question, ‘is CBD legal in SC?’ has to be in a selection and with hemp.

As of this year, can one answer in response to the question is CBD legal in SC? There is an affirmative answer, but the policy remains that such products should have no more than 0.3 percent Delta 9 THC and they must also only be extracted from hemp. South Carolina has met the conditions of the 2018 federal Act – the (Farm Bill) and is very accommodative to CBD users.

It is now your turn; as a consumer, you have to know what to buy. Always go for the product that has the COA or certificate of analysis at hand to avoid purchase and consumption of illegal and impure products. Therefore, thanks to little guidelines of strictness such as those being mentioned also earlier, you can make use of this healthy product in the Palmetto state lawfully.