Pennsylvania Proposal Would Require Workers’ Comp to Cover Medical Cannabis

New legislation introduced in Pennsylvania would require employers in the state to provide up to $250 per month to cover medical cannabis costs for injured employees who are collecting workers’ compensation, WorkCompCentral reports.

The proposal, HB 1766, would require workers who request reimbursement for their cannabis purchases to be registered with the state’s medical cannabis program.

The bill’s sponsor, Rep. David Delloso (D), said that “Injured workers in chronic pain need a workable option for pain management other than opioids,” and that “prescribing medical cannabis to treat chronic pain protects injured workers from the hazards associated with these dangerous and harmful medications.”

“Permitting medical cannabis to be used in the treatment of chronic pain management for injured workers not only helps workers but provides relief to their families. Families can take comfort in knowing their loved one’s pain is controlled without fear of addiction and the rapidly rising medical bills associated with opioids.” — Delloso, in a memo introducing the bill

While Pennsylvania lawmakers approved the state’s medical cannabis legalization policy in 2016, the Legislature has so far failed to adopt any adult-use reforms. The Pennsylvania House of Representatives passed a cannabis legalization proposal in May that included a plan for state-run dispensaries, but the Senate Law and Justice Committee voted to table the bill, effectively killing the effort for the year.

Meanwhile, bipartisan lawmakers introduced another cannabis legalization proposal last month.