Nancy Mace’s cannabis bill provides practical path to much-needed bipartisan reform

Reform cannabis law

Ending cannabis prohibition is an important issue for the entire nation, and it has been a long time coming.

Nancy Mace has taken the initiative and delivered common-sense legislation that should garner bipartisan support.

In an era where Republican policy is too often political grandstanding with no substance, I was proud to see a South Carolina elected Republican step up and take the reins on an important issue. South Carolina has become too accustomed to leading from the back, and Rep. Mace looks to change that.

Among the litany of legitimate reasons that justify legalization, our prisons are packed. We’re effectively facing a mass incarceration crisis. Approximately 1 in 5 people in our nation’s prisons are locked up for nonviolent drug crimes.

This bill will provide a path forward for hundreds of thousands of citizens who have been unjustly persecuted as a result of these outdated and racially motivated drug laws.

Democrats have the opportunity to vote this bill through and provide this much-needed reform.

There is no reason to continue to treat this plant as a dangerous substance when it is by all accounts far less dangerous than controlled substances like tobacco and alcohol.

Edwin Whitner Slagsvol, Charleston

Thank the pollinators

As we gather around the Thanksgiving table this year, let’s remember to thank the hardworking pollinators who helped make most of our food grow.

Over one-third of our human diet comes from insect-pollinated plants, primarily from the amazing 4,000 species of native wild bees along with the non-native honeybees. Even the plants that cows eat to make milk, cheese, butter, ice cream and beef rely on pollinator services.

Insect numbers are plummeting in the U.S. because of loss of pollinator habitat such as native weed fields replaced by lawns, suburban and industrial sprawl. Most disturbing is the overuse of pesticides which target plants and insects.

Without insect pollinators, 75 percent of the flowering plant and tree species will become extinct.

So when we enjoy that turkey, cranberry sauce, sweet potato casserole, green beans and squash along with the pumpkin or apple pie, give a nod to that little insect who was busy providing dinner.

And afterwards, how to help? Let parts of your property go wild, plant a diverse assemblage of native flowers, leave some dead plant material on the ground, build a bee hotel and get rid of toxic chemicals that are killing these friendly insects who are helping us humans survive.

Debby Boots, Hilton Head Island

Vote Cunningham

South Carolina’s politicians have purposefully limited minorities’ voting access. Politicians have gerrymandered numerous districts, skewing election results in their favor.

Furthermore, prohibiting no-excuse absentee ballots makes it nearly impossible for residents who cannot miss work to vote. Additionally, there have been no efforts to assist residents who want to vote but do not have access to the internet and printers. These are all strategies to prevent low-income and minority citizens from voting, corrupting our democracy.

Joe Cunningham plans to implement various tactics to increase voting accessibility such as creating same-day registration, allowing no-excuse early voting, and passing automatic voter registration.He also aims to remove witness signatures on mail-in ballots and proposes restoring Election Day as a state holiday to ensure all residents have the day off to vote.

No citizens should have to fight for their right to vote, but South Carolina’s voting restrictions force the issue.

We are far from ending discrimination against people of color, but Cunningham’s plans to promote voting equality will give minorities the representation they deserve.

I urge you to vote for Joe Cunningham for governor. We need a governor who cares about all South Carolinians.

Emma Akerhielm, Greenville

Legalize medical marijuana

South Carolina is one of only 14 states that do not allow the use of medical marijuana.

I understand that The Compassionate Care Act S.150 will address the issue in the next legislative session.

Isn’t it time to pass this legislation?

Thomas Roland Thibeault, Aiken