hemp

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 21, 2026: were going to keep this pod pretty tight with our reporter round table. But we taped that discussion before we had a 12-hour long Senate day on Wednesday, and before the THC hemp bill passed on Thursday afternoon. Yes, me and Maayan were in the Senate til midnight. It’s totally thrown off my week, hence the abbreviated episode.

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 18, 2026: we’re still talking hemp-derived THC drinks and maybe gummies; we look at some of the top filings so far for major races, including the senate and congress, and a newcomer emerges for the governor’s race; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 14, 2026: the House has passed its $15.4 billion budget as well as an income tax reduction bill; the Senate continues to debate the hemp THC drink regulation bill; Congressman Jim Clyburn announced his bid for an 18th term; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for March 10, 2026: it’s budget week in the House and the Senate is taking up hemp regulations this week; we hear from Sen. Lindsey Graham about the latest on Iran; we also get a national/midterm/election vibe check with our good friend AP National Politics reporter Meg Kinnard; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 28, 2026: we recap week seven of the legislative session, including action on bills dealing with personal income tax reductions, the Ten Commandments, hemp-derived consumables, redistricting, and NIL deals; Lt. Gov. Pam Evette dropped a new campaign ad touting the endorsement of Gov. Henry McMaster; we hear from Winthrop University Political Science Professor Scott Huffmon; and more!

On this episode of the South Carolina Lede for February 7, 2026: President Donald Trump has endorsed in on one of, if not, the most critical statewide races this year; we look at major bills that moved this week, including the abortion pill bill, and DUI bill, and what happened to the hemp bill; we also have some committee action for you, including remarks from the first subcommittee hearing on the comprehensive data center regulation bill; and more!

The concerns about delta-8 are largely focused on how it’s made. Delta-8 is typically produced by dissolving CBD — a compound found in cannabis plants — in solvents, such as toluene that is often found in paint thinner. Some people in the marijuana industry say that process leaves potentially harmful residue. A study published in the journal Chemical Research in Toxicology last year found lead, mercury, and silicon in delta-8 electronic cigarettes.

A South Carolina hemp farmer is suing several state agencies for violating his due process rights. The federal lawsuit alleges that the South Carolina Law Enforcement Division, Department of Agriculture and Attorney General's office conspired to deny John Trenton Pendarvis due process after officials say he violated sections of the state's hemp farming program. After the Department of Agriculture discovered in 2019 that Pendarvis had grown hemp in unreported areas, law enforcement eventually destroyed the crop.