A group of seven Pennsylvania lawmakers have filed legislation that would require workers’ compensation to reimburse injured employees for the cost of medical marijuana.
House Bill 1766 was filed today by Representatives David Delloso, Carol Hill-Evans, Jeanne McNeill, Tarik Khan, Elizabeth Probst, Ben Sanchez, and Khalid Harris, all Democrats. The measure was referred to the House Labor and Industry Committee.
Under the proposal, qualifying patients certified under Pennsylvania’s Medical Marijuana Act would be eligible for monthly reimbursements of up to $250 for marijuana or marijuana-derived products purchased for medical use. The total annual reimbursement would be capped at $3,000.
The bill also allows patients to be reimbursed for the cost of obtaining or renewing their state-issued medical marijuana ID card. Reimbursements would be processed at least quarterly through a system set up by insurers.
Any amounts spent beyond the $250 monthly limit would not be covered.
If approved into law, the policy change would mark a major step forward for injured workers in Pennsylvania who use medical marijuana as an alternative to opioids and other pharmaceuticals, while also clarifying a longstanding legal gray area around workers’ compensation and marijuana coverage. The act would take effect 60 days after being signed into law.
