Medical Marijuana is now legal in 14 states (Alaska, California, Colorado, Hawaii, Maine, Michigan, Montana, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, Rhode Island, Vermont and Washington) and Washington DC as of September 2010 with many more states considering legalization. Currently marijuana is a federal C-1 controlled substance meaning its use, possession, or sale is a federal offense even for medical use. Some states have proposed legislation which would amend laws to classify marijuana as a schedule C-2 drug. The federal government has taken a stance to not prosecute as long as state laws are followed. Medical marijuana is used for appetite stimulation, chronic and neuropathic pain, nausea, glaucoma, migraines, epilepsy, stress, multiple sclerosis-related spasticity, and incontinence. Side effects from marijuana include dizziness, increased heart rate, myocardial infarction, cognitive impairment, depression, psychosis or chronic bronchitis. Medical marijuana is typically smoked, inhaled, eaten or applied topically. Marijuana smoke contains up to 70% more carcinogenic ingredients than cigarette smoke. Many states limit medical marijuana prescriptions to only certain diagnoses. The evidence for the use of marijuana is not high quality, and is often anecdotal. Marijuana carries other risks including job termination or driving under the influence if marijuana shows up on a drug test. Other THC derivative treatment options include FDA approved prescription products, Marinol (dronabinol) and Cesamet (Nabilone). However, these two agents have a slower onset and can cause more dysphoria than inhaled marijuana.
With that said some plans may be getting inquiries from members as to whether their insurance will cover medical marijuana like a typical prescription drug. After all, in states where medical marijuana is allowed marijuana dispensaries are just as common as pharmacies. Most or all plans currently are not covering medical marijuana based on the fact that it is not approved for use by the Food and Drug Administration. Further, it will be difficult for medical marijuana to get FDA approval because it is not a synthesized drug and its components are not manufactured by a standardized process which leaves its potency subject to variation. There are also variables with the size of doses. Please take time now to make sure your plan summary documents are up to date as to your plan's position on medical marijuana coverage. Such statements in your Plan Summary Documents Such as coverage is limited to: Federal Legend Drugs which bear "Caution: Federal law prohibits dispensing without a prescription." Or Products Approved in the United States by the Federal Food and Drug Administrations (FDA).