This bill mandates that workers' compensation, personal injury protection (PIP), and health insurance plans provide coverage for the medical use of cannabis under specific conditions. It stipulates that coverage is required for individuals who are qualifying patients authorized for medical cannabis use as per the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act. Additionally, the bill clarifies that employers, workers' compensation insurance carriers, and health insurers are not obligated to provide this coverage if the federal government intervenes to enforce the "Controlled Substances Act."

Furthermore, the bill includes provisions that require employers and insurers to reimburse qualifying patients directly for costs associated with medical cannabis if payment to the dispensary is not feasible. This aims to enhance access to medical cannabis for patients while potentially reducing costs for insurers by offering a less expensive alternative to opioids. The bill is set to take effect 90 days after its enactment.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-14