South Carolina Lawmakers Defeat DUI and THC Regulation Bills

South Carolina lawmakers rejected reworked bills late last week aimed at strengthening the state’s DUI laws and restricting the sale of THC-infused products to adults, effectively killing both measures for the year.

Because different versions of the legislation had previously passed each chamber, House and Senate negotiators were forced to craft compromise language. However, those compromises failed to win majorities, meaning THC-infused drinks and edibles remain legally available to everyone, including teenagers, across the state.

The DUI bill, a top priority heading into the 2026 legislative session, died in the Senate when a required procedural vote failed. According to legislative leadership, the defeat stemmed from a decision to merge language regarding THC-intoxicated driving into the broader DUI bill. This combination splintered a solid Senate majority that originally supported tougher drunk driving penalties and closing procedural loopholes used to avoid convictions.

Meanwhile, the THC legislation failed in the House due to an alliance between industry supporters and members who favored a complete ban on hemp-derived intoxicants. The primary point of contention was a requirement that THC products only be sold in liquor stores. Industry proponents argued this was unfair to retailers who have stocked these items since the 2018 federal farm bill legalized them.

The high-stakes votes occurred during a summer special session.