Concerns Raised About Medical Marijuana's Impact on Comp Costs

While some view medical marijuana as a potential way to reduce opioid use among injured workers, thereby lowering claim costs, others are concerned that providing marijuana will actually increase costs. In a workers’ comp market segment report released last week, analysts with A.M. Best said medical marijuana may simply add to the treatments that injured workers already receive. “Medical marijuana is not viewed as a replacement for opioids, but as an alternative to decrease the use of opioids,” the analysts wrote. “Insurers may be liable for paying for opioids, p...