The West Ashley Greenway is a haven for cyclists, joggers and walkers who enjoy fresh air and the great outdoors. According to their website, the west ashley greenway is an 8.25 mile hiking and bike trail located in west ashley, just outside of charleston, sc. The greenway stretches from the south windermere shopping center (on folly road) to johns island. Most of the route follows highway 17.
This Saturday, October 21st, the West Ashley Greenway will be full of walkers interested in going green for another reason. State-wide Medical Cannabis advocacy organization, SC Compassionate Care Alliance, will be hosting an event called “Greenway Walk for Awareness.” The organization hopes to spread awareness of the need for a medical cannabis program in South Carolina.
Jill Swing, event organizer and President of SC Compassionate Care Alliance feels that most people in South Carolina are not even aware that a bill that would legalize cannabis in South Carolina for certain debilitating medical conditions is currently being considered in the state legislature.
I have been fighting this fight for almost four years for my daughter, Mary Louise, who suffers from intractable epilepsy.
I hope that this walk will spread awareness about the benefits of medical cannabis and get the community involved in supporting the bill, entitled the SC Compassionate Care Act. We will need voices from across the state, speaking out in support, if we want to get this bill passed next year.Jill Swing
The SC Compassionate Care Act (S212/H3521) was introduced in both the Senate and House of Representatives early in 2017. Despite having added several co-sponsors, the bill saw little movement. It passed a House subcommittee by a vote of 3-0 with one member abstaining, but is stalled in the full 3M Committee. The Senate Medical Affairs Subcommittee heard over three hours of testimony for both the medical community and law enforcement but has yet to take a vote on the bill.
If not for the children and those who suffer, then who? If not now, when? I feel that this (medical cannabis) is an issue whose time has come in South Carolina and it will certainly be one of my legislative priorities for 2018.
Charleston Representative Wendell Gilliard
Details
Despite setbacks and delays, advocates are hopeful that 2018 will bring the passage of the SC Compassionate Care Act, which could help provide legal access to medical cannabis for thousands of patients.
”This is our big push. We don’t want to have to go into a new session and start over with a whole new bill in 2019,” Swing says.
If you want to participate in the Greenway Walk for Awareness
When: Saturday, October 21st from 4-6 pm.
Where: The West Ashley Greenway starting at the Charleston Tennis Center on Farmfield Ave. to Wappoo Rd. and back.
Registration:
For more information about the event click here: https://www.sccompassion.com/event/greenway-walk-awareness/
For more information about SC Compassionate Care Alliance, the SC Compassionate Care Act, or to find out how you can help, go to our website, https://www.sccompassion.com
