South Carolina’s Hemp Market Faces Growing Scrutiny
CHARLESTON, S.C. (WCIV) — State and federal agents have intensified inspections of hemp‑derived products across the Lowcountry, leaving many South Carolina businesses operating without clear statewide rules. Vendors say the lack of guidance creates a legal gray area that affects everything from packaging to product labeling.
A Veteran‑Owned Gummy Maker Expands Amid Uncertainty
In a North Charleston warehouse, Cody Callarman is scaling up Carolina Dream, a veteran‑owned company that manufactures THC‑infused gummies. Callarman said he aspires to become “the cannabis king of South Carolina.” Over the past few years, production has risen dramatically — from a few thousand pieces a day to as many as 40,000 gummies daily. He noted that the surge has strained supplies, forcing the firm to re‑sticker packages when stock runs low.
Despite the growth, Callarman warned that ambiguous regulations make it difficult to assure consumers that label claims match the actual contents. “We make sure that happens internally, but there’s no state law requiring it,” he explained.
Federal Enforcement Targets Potent Hemp Products
The Drug Enforcement Administration says it is applying existing controlled‑substance statutes as hemp‑derived items become more potent and widely available. Michael Tooley, the DEA’s assistant special agent in charge, told WCIV that investigations have uncovered products marketed directly to children, a concern he described as targeting “our most vulnerable population.”
Tooley added that the DEA works with the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division (SLED) and will continue to seize items that test as illegal narcotics, including Schedule I marijuana. “If a store, a location, or a person is selling illegal narcotics… we are gonna continue to enforce those laws,” he said.
A DEA toxicology report cited by the agency indicates that the potency of some hemp products has reached levels linked to adverse health outcomes, though Tooley declined to provide a specific number of fatal overdose cases, stating he does not have that data.
Recent Raids Illustrate the Enforcement Push
On March 11, DEA and SLED agents executed coordinated searches at several vape and THC retailers in the Lowcountry. According to Tooley, laboratory testing showed the seized items contained marijuana, prompting court‑authorized warrants that allowed agents to remove the products. The operation was highlighted in a follow‑up story: READ MORE | Lowcountry hemp sellers plan lawsuit after DEA seizes products and cash in raids.
State Lawmakers Debate Future Regulation
Back in Columbia, legislators have spent months weighing how to address the rapidly evolving hemp market. State Rep. Travis Moore (R‑Spartanburg) described the current environment as “kind of the Wild Wild West,” noting that minors can easily access THC‑infused beverages and other products. Moore urged lawmakers to deliver clear statewide direction — whether through a total ban or strict regulations that protect youth.
State Rep. William Harger (R‑Hampton) indicated that the issue would likely be taken up in an upcoming session, though no definitive timetable has been set. Lawmakers have since been called into a special session, but as of the latest update there has been no public confirmation that hemp regulation will be on the agenda.
Business Leaders Seek a Workable Framework
Callarman said he remains engaged with state officials, hoping to shape rules that allow legitimate businesses to continue operating without facing an outright ban that could drive them out of South Carolina. He emphasized consumer choice, stating, “People want something different and I believe it’s our right to be able to choose what we’ll be putting our bodies and not have the state say what we can and cannot do.”
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