This bill mandates that workers' compensation, personal injury protection (PIP), and health insurance plans provide coverage for the medical use of cannabis for qualifying patients authorized under the Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act. Specifically, it requires that these insurance types cover costs associated with medical cannabis, provided the individual is a qualifying patient. However, it also stipulates that coverage is not required if the federal government intervenes to enforce the "Controlled Substances Act."

Additionally, the bill includes provisions ensuring that if payment to a medical cannabis dispensary is not feasible, the employer, insurer, or health insurance carrier must reimburse the insured, employee, or covered person directly upon proof of payment. This aims to enhance access to medical cannabis for patients who may benefit from its therapeutic effects while also potentially reducing costs associated with more expensive treatments, such as opioids.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-14