Cannabis Reclassification Means Some Coverage For Medicare Recipients

**Update on Cannabis Reclassification and Medicare Coverage** Cannabis reclassification may soon offer certain benefits to Medicare recipients.

**Update on Cannabis Reclassification and Medicare Coverage**

Cannabis reclassification may soon offer certain benefits to Medicare recipients. Image credit: Virginian Pilot/Getty Images

• A recent White House directive is instructing federal authorities to expedite the reclassification of a form of cannabis as a less dangerous drug.
• This action may also establish a pilot program allowing Medicare recipients to be reimbursed for certain cannabis-related products.
• Experts believe that this reclassification will also facilitate scientific research on the cannabis plant.

Cannabis refers to a group of plants that includes both marijuana and hemp. While "marijuana" has historical associations, it is often linked to concerns about addiction due to its psychoactive compound THC. For clarity, we use the term "cannabis" when discussing marijuana-related topics.

Older adults covered under Medicare may be among the first to benefit from this reclassification. A recent executive order directs Justice Department officials to accelerate the approval process for changing marijuana, a form of cannabis, from a Schedule I drug to a Schedule III drug.

As a Schedule I drug, cannabis is considered a substance with "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse." In contrast, as a Schedule III drug, it would be classified as a compound with "a moderate to low potential for physical and psychological dependence."

While this reclassification may take time due to potential legal challenges and implementation periods, there is one aspect that could provide financial relief for adults 65 years and older who use cannabis-based products.

Cannabis and Older Adults

A pilot program may allow Medicare recipients to be reimbursed for certain cannabis-related products as early as April. This would enable qualifying Medicare recipients to receive medical marijuana if deemed necessary by a medical doctor, and also provide reimbursement for up to $500 per year for qualifying cannabinoid (CBD)-based products.

Please note that these reimbursements may not be available under Medicare Advantage (Part C) plans. We recommend checking with your specific insurance provider for more information.

As cannabis-based products become increasingly popular among older adults, this financial relief could be a significant benefit. According to a 2024 study, 14% of people 65 years and older reported using a CBD product in the prior year.

"This would be highly beneficial for our older population," says Sherry Yafai, MD, an emergency medicine physician and founder and medical director of The RELEAF Institute in Los Angeles. "Seniors who are struggling with chronic pain or other conditions may find relief through cannabis-based products."

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