News Conference Wednesday at 11 a.m. in Capitol Rotunda
COLUMBIA, S.C. — South Carolina faith leaders will gather Wednesday in the Capitol Rotunda for a news conference in support of medical cannabis legislation.
The group will release a formal statement that has been signed on to by a diverse group of clergy members, which will be delivered to state lawmakers later that day. It strongly urges the Legislature to adopt a well-regulated medical cannabis program this year, noting the faith leaders “cannot remain silent while members of our community struggling with debilitating medical conditions are deprived of an effective treatment option.”
Scheduled speakers at the event include Reps. Terry Alexander and Ivory Thigpen, who are both Baptist pastors; Dr. Jeremy Rutledge from the United Church of Christ; Rabbi Eric Mollo; and Lighthouse Ministries founder Bill Davis; and Rev. Alexander Sharp of Clergy for a New Drug Policy, which is rallying clergy nationwide in support of sensible medical cannabis legislation.
The Compassionate Care Act, sponsored by Sen. Tom Davis in the Senate (S0366) and Rep. Peter McCoy in the House (H3660), would establish a comprehensive medical cannabis program in South Carolina.
WHAT: News conference with South Carolina faith leaders who are urging the Legislature to support medical cannabis legislation
WHEN: Wednesday, March 20, 11 a.m. ET
WHERE: Rotunda of the South Carolina State House, 1100 Gervais St., Columbia
WHO: Rep. Terry Alexander, pastor, Wayside Chapel Baptist Church, Florence
Rep. Ivory Thigpen, senior pastor, Rehoboth Baptist Church, Columbia
Rev. Clara Benson (retired), United Church of Christ, Goose Creek
Rabbi Jonathan Case, Columbia
Bill Davis, founder, Lighthouse Ministries, Townville
Dr. Jeremy Rutledge, United Church of Christ, Charleston
Imam Shamudeen, Charleston
Rabbi Eric Mollo, Columbia
Additional South Carolina faith leaders
Rev. Alexander Sharp, executive director, Clergy for a New Drug Policy
David Newsom, director of governmental affairs, Compassionate SC
CSC.Health (Compassionate SC) is a statewide coalition of patients, families, and advocates working to establish a comprehensive medical cannabis program in South Carolina. For more information, visit http://CSC.health.
***
TIP? PIC? EVENT? NEWS RELEASE? SUGGESTED LINK? E-mail us …