Council passes new regulations to curb access to intoxicating hemp products and kratom for minors
The ordinance, approved on second reading, adds conditional use restrictions and age requirements for retailers to better protect county youth.
10 votes10 passed
The vote behind the headline
Prohibit Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Kratom to Minors (2nd Reading as amended):Council approved second reading prohibiting nitrous oxide sales to minors and kratom sales to anyone under 21.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously approved second reading as amended of an ordinance restricting the sale, distribution, and display of nitrous oxide and kratom. The measure was amended on a motion by Councilman Danny Catoe to raise the legal purchasing age for kratom from 18 to 21, aligning the county ordinance with South Carolina state law requirements. Under the ordinance, selling nitrous oxide to minors under 18 or kratom to individuals under 21 in unincorporated Kershaw County is a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $100 to $500 or up to 30 days in jail. Retailers must store these items behind sales counters, in locked cases, or in age-restricted areas, and products must feature clear ingredient and warning labels. Minors who misrepresent their age face civil fines rather than criminal charges. First reading passed on January 13, 2026, and one final reading remains.
PASSED (Unanimous). The amendment aligns the ordinance with state law by setting the legal age for kratom purchase at 21
Council unanimously approved a resolution honoring the life and legacy of Patty Lou Templar, mother of Kershaw County Administrator Danny Templar. The resolution recognized her devotion as a mother, her love of reading stories and baking, and her passion for animals and horses. County Council members and staff expressed their deepest condolences to the Templar family during their time of loss.
Presentation by the Kershaw County Sheriff's Foundation:Council unanimously accepted a public presentation from the Kershaw County Sheriff's Foundation.Public safety
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council voted unanimously to accept a public presentation and annual update from the Kershaw County Sheriff's Foundation. Established in 2011 as a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, the foundation supports the Kershaw County Sheriff's Office by funding unbudgeted equipment and deputy initiatives, including bulletproof vests, patrol car cameras, training ammunition, body cameras, and canine unit needs. Foundation Chairman Benji Jackson also surprised Chairman Ben Connell by presenting him with the Leonard Price Friend of Law Enforcement Award for his support of local law enforcement.
County Council voted unanimously to approve the official meeting minutes from the regular council meeting held on January 13, 2026. The minutes document previous council actions, including public presentations, first and second readings of ordinances, and board appointments. Approval of meeting minutes is a routine administrative procedure ensuring accurate public record-keeping.
Rezone 16.68 Acres at 1187 Black River Road (2nd Reading):Council approved second reading to rezone 16.68 acres on Black River Road to allow double-wide manufactured homes.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously approved the second reading of an ordinance to rezone a 16.68-acre parcel (TMS# 329-00-00-086) located at 1187 Black River Road in Camden from RD-1 (Rural Development District) to MRD-1 (Rural Development District). Property owner Josiefene S. Wade requested the zoning map amendment to replace an existing single-wide manufactured home with a double-wide unit and to allow family members to place additional double-wide homes on the parcel. Under existing RD-1 rules, manufactured housing is not allowed, whereas the MRD-1 district permits double-wide manufactured homes. The Kershaw County Planning Commission unanimously recommended approval on a 5-0 vote at its December 8, 2025 meeting, and first reading passed unanimously on January 13, 2026. The property will undergo a third and final reading before the zoning change is enacted.
PASSED (Unanimous). The property will move from RD-1 to MRD-1 to allow for the placement of double-wide manufactured homes
Regulations for Public Boat Landings (2nd Reading):Council approved second reading to update safety rules and restrict activities at county and Duke Energy boat landings.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously passed second reading of an ordinance amending Chapter 24 of the county code to restate and update rules for public boat landings owned or maintained by Kershaw County or Duke Energy. The ordinance responds to growing concerns regarding overcrowding, loitering, open flame grilling, unauthorized commercial sales, and overnight camping at water access points. Prohibited activities at landings now include camping, open fires, loud music, fireworks, loitering, disorderly conduct, swimming within 200 yards of ramps, and parking for longer than 24 consecutive hours. Violations constitute a misdemeanor subject to fines up to $500 and up to 30 days imprisonment per day of violation. The measure passed first reading on January 13, 2026, and requires third reading for final enactment.
PASSED (Unanimous). This update clarifies prohibited activities, such as camping and unauthorized commercial use, at county-maintained boat landings
Prohibit Sale of Nitrous Oxide and Kratom to Minors (2nd Reading as amended):Council approved second reading prohibiting nitrous oxide sales to minors and kratom sales to anyone under 21.
Unanimous · 6-0
▸detailsless
How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously approved second reading as amended of an ordinance restricting the sale, distribution, and display of nitrous oxide and kratom. The measure was amended on a motion by Councilman Danny Catoe to raise the legal purchasing age for kratom from 18 to 21, aligning the county ordinance with South Carolina state law requirements. Under the ordinance, selling nitrous oxide to minors under 18 or kratom to individuals under 21 in unincorporated Kershaw County is a misdemeanor punishable by fines of $100 to $500 or up to 30 days in jail. Retailers must store these items behind sales counters, in locked cases, or in age-restricted areas, and products must feature clear ingredient and warning labels. Minors who misrepresent their age face civil fines rather than criminal charges. First reading passed on January 13, 2026, and one final reading remains.
PASSED (Unanimous). The amendment aligns the ordinance with state law by setting the legal age for kratom purchase at 21
Retail Restrictions on Hemp-Derived and Synthetic Cannabinoids (2nd Reading as amended):Council approved second reading establishing conditional use rules and zoning controls for hemp and cannabinoid retailers.
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously passed second reading as amended of an ordinance amending Section 3:3.29 and Table 3-3 of the Unified Code of Zoning and Land Development Regulations regarding retail sales of hemp-derived and synthetic cannabinoid products. The ordinance establishes hemp retail establishments as a conditional use permitted only in General Development (GD) districts, prohibiting them in all other zoning districts. Amendments introduced by Councilman Danny Catoe incorporated Planning Commission recommendations, modified operating hour restrictions to apply specifically to product sales hours rather than general store hours, and removed automatic loss of nonconforming status upon business ownership changes. The ordinance currently includes a 500-foot separation distance from churches, schools, daycares, parks, and other hemp retailers, though Councilman Brant Tomlinson requested considering a larger setback before third reading. First reading passed on December 9, 2025, and third reading is required before enactment.
PASSED (Unanimous). This adds conditional use status for these retailers in GD and B-2 districts and requires secure storage and clear signage
Rezone 4.18 Acres at 209 Boulware Road (3rd Reading):Council approved third and final reading to rezone 4.18 acres in Lugoff from General Development to General Business.DevelopmentRoads
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously enacted an ordinance on third reading rezoning a 4.18-acre parcel (TMS# 296-00-00-057) located at 209 Boulware Road in Lugoff. The map amendment changes the parcel's zoning classification from GD (General Development District) to B-2 (General Business District). Council members noted that changing the zoning to B-2 places greater overall land-use restrictions on the property while aligning it with surrounding commercial zoning along the corridor. The ordinance passed first reading on December 9, 2025, and second reading on January 13, 2026. Former Councilman K.C. Wells was present in the audience for the final vote, which enacts the map amendment into law.
PASSED (Unanimous). This rezoning changes the parcel from GD to B-2
Regulations for Golf Cart Operation (3rd Reading):Council passed third reading permitting nighttime golf cart operation on county roads posted at 35 mph or less.DevelopmentRoadsParks & rec
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council unanimously passed third and final reading of an ordinance establishing local regulations for golf cart operation pursuant to South Carolina Code Section 56-2-90. The ordinance permits residents to operate golf carts during nighttime hours on secondary roads with posted speed limits of 35 miles per hour or less, provided the golf carts are equipped with operational headlights and taillights. Drivers must be at least 16 years old with a valid driver's license, hold state DMV registration and insurance, and remain within four miles of their registered address. Passengers under 12 years of age must wear seat belts when riding on public streets. First reading passed on December 9, 2025, and second reading passed on January 13, 2026. Enactment gives local residents added mobility options within local neighborhoods.
PASSED (Unanimous). This ordinance permits the operation of golf carts during nighttime hours if equipped with proper lighting, provided they remain on roads with speed limits of 35 mph or less
Reappointment of Shannon West to Kershaw Health District (Seat #9):Council reappointed Shannon West to Seat #9 as an at-large member of the Kershaw Health District.Appointments
Unanimous · 6-0
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How they voted - unanimous
✓ Ben Connell✓ Brant Tomlinson✓ Danny Catoe✓ Derek Shoemake✓ Jimmy Jones✓ Russell Brazell
Council voted unanimously to reappoint Shannon West to Seat #9 as an at-large member of the Kershaw Health District board. Chairman Ben Connell highlighted West's extensive professional healthcare background as vital to the health district's ongoing services and future expansion plans across Kershaw County. The reappointment ensures continued experienced leadership on the local health board.
Council held an executive session for a legal briefing regarding a matter subject to attorney-client privilege. There was no public action taken following the session.
Public comment▸showhide
There were no public comments during the meeting.
Coming up▸showhide
The next Kershaw County Council meeting is scheduled for February 2026.
Planning Commission appointments for District 5 are expected to be on the February agenda.
Further discussion on increasing the separation distance requirement (currently 500 feet) for hemp retailers is expected at the third reading of the hemp ordinance.
independent summary, generated from the county's public video, not an official county communication.
How this recap was made: Prepared from the meeting's live-stream transcript and the official agenda packet. The county's official minutes (the verified vote record) will be cross-checked automatically once the county publishes them, often a couple of months later. This is an automated summary written by software (a neural-network summarizer working from the documents above). Rely on the official county record for anything important.
