Injured Workers Could Get Medical Cannabis Reimbursement Under New PA Bill

4 August 2025

A coalition of Pennsylvania House Democrats has introduced legislation that would make the state one of the few in the nation to explicitly allow reimbursement of medical marijuana costs under workers' compensation insurance. House Bill 1766, filed by Rep. David Delloso and six Democratic colleagues, would require insurers to cover up to $250 per month (or $3,000 annually) in costs for qualifying injured workers who are certified to use medical marijuana under the Pennsylvania Medical Marijuana Act.

The bill aims to provide an alternative pathway to pain management amid the opioid crisis and high rates of prescription drug dependency. In addition to reimbursing the cost of medical cannabis products, the legislation also includes provisions to cover expenses related to acquiring or renewing state-issued medical marijuana ID cards.

Insurers would be required to establish reimbursement systems and process claims quarterly, offering a structured and predictable model for workers and employers alike. Reimbursements would be limited to those patients whose conditions and treatments have been certified under the Pennsylvania medical marijuana program and approved by the Department of Health.

The move comes as full adult-use cannabis legalization continues to face hurdles in Pennsylvania’s GOP-controlled Senate. Despite growing public support and multiple bipartisan legalization proposals in both chambers, opposition from key Republican leaders has slowed progress. Nevertheless, some lawmakers continue to advance legislation that builds cannabis into Pennsylvania’s broader healthcare and economic systems.

Providing financial support for medical cannabis use not only benefits injured workers but also helps families who worry about addiction risks and the financial burden of opioid treatment. “Injured workers deserve the most efficient, safe, and affordable treatments available,” Delloso said in a statement. “Medical cannabis is a tool that we should embrace - not ignore.”

If passed, HB 1766 would take effect 60 days after becoming law. While the bill currently resides with the House Labor and Industry Committee, its progress will be watched closely by healthcare providers, insurers, patients, and cannabis industry stakeholders across the state.