Can you get insurance if you smoke weed?

While smokers are aware that smoking tobacco affects their insurance, marijuana is less frequently discussed. Traditionally, insurance providers have rated marijuana users as smokers. But does insurance cover medicinal weed, you may be wondering. Both medicinal and recreational weed is currently seen as one and the same by insurers, though it might not be the case for long – depending on where you live. We take a closer look at whether you can get insurance if you smoke weed in this Pacific Prime article.

Insurance and pot use

Laws on pot use naturally affect how insurers view its usage. In Canada, cannabis has been legal for both medicinal and recreational purposes since 2018. Several insurers in the country have been known not to penalize clients who use pot occasionally. This is primarily due to the growing amount of scientific evidence regarding marijuana’s benefits. Likewise, it’s seen as relatively safer than tobacco.

According to a 2015 survey, one-third of major US insurance providers considered weed users non-smokers. This is hardly surprising as the stance on marijuana has changed over the years, leading to the federal government’s legalization of medical marijuana and the decriminalization of pot in 2017. Through careful evaluations, many individual providers have weighed pot use against tobacco use and determined that its health impacts are far from similar.

This can be positive news for pot users currently wondering, “can health insurance drop you for smoking weed?” Depending on where you are in the world and the laws surrounding marijuana, asking your insurer to review your policy might be possible. Policyholders who use marijuana (whether for medical or recreational purposes) who were once given smokers’ premiums, could potentially be considered for non-smoker premiums.

Not quite a green pass

However, marijuana users shouldn’t expect complete freedom. For example, some insurers may extend non-smoker rates to “occasional” weed smokers. The meaning of occasional can vary between providers, too (e.g. two joints per week or fewer). Medical marijuana users, however, will also be considered for non-smoker premiums.

It’s also worth noting that policyholders who wish to benefit from lower premiums should ensure they skip the tobacco when rolling their joints. If there’s one thing that insurance providers can agree on with weed usage, it’s that marijuana users will only be considered non-smokers if they avoid tobacco, nicotine, and e-cigarettes. If you are a weed smoker who has used tobacco, nicotine, or e-cigarettes, then you may have to stop using them for at least 12 months before your insurer will consider you a non-smoker.

Applying for insurance as a pot smoker

The application process won’t be significantly different just because pot use is viewed differently. Any time a prospective client fills out an application for insurance, they’re asked if they use any recreational or legal substances, including marijuana. Insurers will still inquire, and prospects must still disclose. Additionally, they may be asked to provide details regarding the quantity and frequency of usage. As long as they use weed without tobacco, it doesn’t matter if they eat, smoke, or vape marijuana.

Further reading: Why should employers offer smoking cessation programs?

With that said, the application process involves more than simply ticking a box that says “non-smoker”. Applicants must answer all standard questions regarding health and lifestyle when applying for the change. An insurer will consider all the information from the application before making a decision.

If you don’t have any health changes, you probably don’t need to worry. Conversely, you might not get any help with your premiums if you:

• Have been diagnosed with a new medical condition
• Gained a significant amount of weight
• Drink more heavily/frequently than in the past

Note that insurers typically cannot increase rates for an existing policy based on this type of information.

What if I don’t disclose my marijuana use?

You may be hesitant to disclose your drug use, but it’s never a good idea to lie or withhold information on an insurance application form. If you aren’t honest and upfront about your substance use and it shows up in your samples (e.g. urine, blood), the policy will be terminated for nondisclosure or even fraud.

In addition, insurers can contest or rescind a policy, as well as deny a claim, if you weren’t upfront in your application. The insurance industry also has a 24-month contestability period that allows insurers to rescind a policy within the first 24 months without needing to prove fraud. In this scenario, they only have to provide evidence of false or undisclosed information, which is also known as “material misrepresentation”.

Remember that any time you sign an application, you’re saying that all the information you provided is accurate and to the best of your knowledge. If you’re unsure about something, always raise your questions or concerns with an insurance expert before going further.

Work with a reputable broker like Pacific Prime

It helps to have the expert advice of a reputable insurance broker in situations such as these, and many more. With over two decades of experience, expert advisors, and value-added services, Pacific Prime is the broker of choice for many individuals, families, and corporations around the world. Whether you’re looking for international health insurance, pre-existing conditions insurance, or other types of health insurance, Pacific Prime is your best bet for finding the right global health insurance plan on the market.

Contact us for impartial advice and a free plan comparison today.

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Jantra Jacobs

Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime

Jantra Jacobs is a Senior Copywriter at Pacific Prime with over 10 years of writing and editing experience. She writes and edits a diverse variety of online and offline copy, including sales and marketing materials ranging from articles and advertising copy to reports, guides, RFPs, and more.

Jantra curates and reports on the results of Pacific Prime’s monthly newsletters, as well as manages Pacific Prime’s Deputy Global CEO’s LinkedIn posts. Complemented by her background in business writing, Jantra’s passion for health, insurance, and employee benefits helps her create engaging content - no matter how complex the subject is.

Growing up as a third-culture kid has given her a multicultural perspective that helps her relate to expats and their families while 8 years of working remotely have given her unique insight into hybrid work arrangements and enthusiasm for employee benefits.

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