Massachusetts to consider requiring comp to cover medical marijuana

Massachusetts lawmakers are considering a bill that would amend state law to require workers compensation insurers to cover medical marijuana.

H. 2169, now with the House and Senate Joint Committee on Labor and Workforce Development after being introduced on Feb. 27, states that “reasonable and necessary service costs may include reimbursement for medical cannabis provided to injured employees who are qualifying patients, or their personal caregiver, certified by a healthcare professional.”

The bill would delete language in state law that states a “health insurance provider, or any government agency or authority,” is not required to reimburse for medical marijuana.