Should Medical Cannabis Be Part of Your Employee Health Plan?

As the topic of legalizing cannabis continues to be in heavy discussion, as a business owner, you may be wondering where this will lead in terms of your employee health plans. Will the ability to use medical marijuana create a financial burden, or will you see a decrease in costs by providing this option for your employees?

This article in Benefits Canada discusses a recent study published in the International Journal of Drug Policy. In the study63% of patients suffering from chronic pain, gastrointestinal issues, and mental health concerns were documented as preferring medical cannabis over opioids and other prescription drugs. Their reason? Fewer side effects. Researchers from the University of British Columbia and the University of Victoria tracked more than 250 patients who ultimately stated that they felt the use of cannabis was safer and had fewer negative side effects for their symptom management.

It’s no secret that opioids and benzodiazepines are often highly addictive and a leading cause of serious health problems and death in many North American populations. Medical cannabis carries no risk of addiction or overdose, quite possibly making it the safer choice for patients who need routine pain management solutions.

As an employer, how would the legalization of cannabis affect you and your employees? This hasn’t yet been determined. However, it’s important to note that any company-sponsored health insurance plans may be affected by legislation in the near future and you will want to make sure you know the options available to you.

At BlueRock Corporate Benefits, we will continue to monitor the progress of this legal debate, so we can assist you with any changes to your individual health insurance plans. Contact us today if you have questions about how you can protect your assets and provide your employees with quality programs.

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