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South Carolina Senate Seeks to Regulate Hemp Beverages Like Alcohol
Lawmakers aim to address lack of guardrails and age restrictions on hemp-derived drinks
Published on Mar. 10, 2026
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South Carolina senators have started debating legislation that would regulate hemp-derived beverages much like alcohol. Currently, there are no age restrictions or other guardrails on the sale of these products, which lawmakers say have generated $60 million in state sales and over $1 billion nationwide. The proposed bill would place delta-9 THC beverages under the same framework as alcohol, requiring buyers to be 21 or older.
Why it matters
Lawmakers argue that regulating the hemp beverage market is crucial to address public safety concerns, such as impaired driving risks, and remove irresponsible sellers from the market. However, some senators have pushed back on provisions like banning THC-infused gummies, which they say help veterans with PTSD.
The details
The Senate proposal would place delta‑9 THC beverages under the same framework used for alcohol sales, requiring buyers to be 21 or older. The bill also includes a ban on all THC-infused gummies, which has drawn pushback from some senators who say gummies are common in the current market and help veterans. Floor amendments to address the gummy ban are expected in the coming days.
- The South Carolina Senate began debating the legislation on March 10, 2026.
- The House attempted earlier this year to pass a bill limited to creating a beverage market but failed to move it forward.
The players
Sen. Michael Johnson
A Republican senator from York, South Carolina, who said the state cannot afford to leave the hemp beverage market unregulated.
Sen. Deon Tedder
A Democratic senator from Charleston, South Carolina, who said regulating the market would help remove irresponsible sellers.
Sen. Billy Garrett
A Republican senator from Greenwood, South Carolina, who argued that THC beverages could worsen impaired driving risks.
What they’re saying
“This is too important to leave alone. We have to regulate this or we have to outlaw it. We cannot allow this to stay the way it is.”
— Sen. Michael Johnson (wtoc.com)
“That's why we need to act. There are bad actors in South Carolina, and regulating this would prohibit them from selling these products.”
— Sen. Deon Tedder (wtoc.com)
“At the end of the day, there are going to be more deaths on these highways because of that combination.”
— Sen. Billy Garrett (wtoc.com)
What’s next
The House attempted earlier this year to pass a bill limited to creating a beverage market but failed to move it forward. Senators will be back at it on Wednesday and for days to come. The proposal would also ban Sunday sales unless local voters approve them through a referendum.
The takeaway
The debate over regulating the hemp beverage market in South Carolina highlights the broader challenges lawmakers face in balancing public safety concerns with consumer access and industry interests. The outcome of this legislation could set a precedent for how other states approach the rapidly evolving hemp and cannabis-derived product markets.
