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 inserts provisions that require employers, workers' compensation insurance carriers, and private passenger automobile insurance carriers to cover costs associated with medical cannabis, while also stating that they are not obligated to do so if the federal government intervenes to enforce the Controlled Substances Act.

Additionally, the bill stipulates that if payment to a medical cannabis dispensary is not feasible, the employer or insurance carrier must reimburse the insured, employee, or covered person directly upon proof of payment. This legislation aims to enhance access to medical cannabis for patients who need it for various medical conditions, while also potentially reducing costs associated with more expensive and risky medications like opioids.

Statutes affected:
Introduced: 24:6I-14