Judge Rules Insurance Company Must Cover Medical Marijuana

Even with all the progress made by legal marijuana these last several years insurance companies have so far avoided paying for patient's medical marijuana, until now. This week a state administrative judge from New Jersey ruled in favor of a patient from Egg Harbor that his insurance company will have to cover the cost of his medical marijuana. Since the plaintiff's medical condition qualified with the state's medical marijuana program the judge agrees that the plaintiff should be reimbursed by the insurance company for the cost of his legal medication. The judge also agreed that the plaintiff's decision to treat his pain with cannabis rather than traditional opioids, calling his decision, "cautious, mature, and… exceptionally conscientious.” This decision could set a long-term precedent where insurance companies begin paying for patient's medical marijuana allover the country.

Judge French says Andrew Watson’s insurance company is obligated to cover the costs of his voter-approved medical marijuana. Watson’s case sought financial reimbursement for the medicinal cannabis he purchased at a local medical marijuana collective, after enrolling in the state’s medical cannabis program in 2014. Judge French ruled that Mr. Watson’s medical condition was consistent with New Jersey’s list of qualifying conditions.