Marijuana Use and Life Insurance: Can cannabis keep you from getting coverage?

Today, marijuana use is legal in many states and insurance companies are adapting to the changes in views about cannabis. But don’t kid yourself. Even though marijuana use won’t stop you from getting life insurance, it will affect your coverage options and rates.

Read on for helpful information on life insurance for marijuana users. You can also enter your ZIP code into our free quote tool above for a variety of life insurance quotes. Our research tool will help you find the best life insurance companies for marijuana users.

How does marijuana use impact life insurance rates?

If you’re a regular weed smoker, life insurance companies may classify you as a smoker. If so, you could expect to pay an average of double what it would cost a nonsmoker for the same policy. But not all marijuana use will impact rates so dramatically. Let’s look at why not. 

Cannabis, or marijuana, is a plant with flower buds that produce a psychoactive chemical called tetrahydrocannabinol (THC). The bud is either smoked or turned into an oil that can be consumed in food or drink as an “edible” or used as a topical ointment. 

The medicinal properties of marijuana are now well-established. Changing laws have decriminalized marijuana use in most states, and changing views are destigmatizing marijuana use across the nation. That said, what does the life insurance industry think about cannabis, and what do rates look like for cannabis users?

First, the life insurance industry is keeping pace with the changing views on marijuana use. Cannabis users certainly can obtain life insurance, and occasional cannabis smokers who are otherwise healthy may even qualify as nonsmokers.

But, whether it’s for recreational or medical reasons, marijuana use could impact the cost of life insurance if you smoke it on a regular basis. Even though smoking marijuana is not as bad for your health as smoking tobacco, smoking anything on a frequent basis is not good for your lungs, and as a result, an insurer could classify you as a smoker and quote your smoker status. 

You probably already know that smokers pay more for life insurance than nonsmokers because smoking is hazardous to their health. Just how much more you’ll pay for a policy depends on how long you’ve been a smoker and how often you smoke, as well as other factors, like your age, gender, occupation, medical history, and lifestyle.

In addition to the standard factors, if you smoke marijuana, your insurance provider will want to know if you’re doing it recreationally or as part of a medical prescription. They will also want to know if you’re smoking the marijuana flower or vaping cannabis oil. 

To get an idea of how smoking marijuana can impact life insurance rates, here’s a chart showing the average annual cost of life insurance by gender, age, and smoker status.

 

Keep in mind that this chart shows average life insurance rates for tobacco, not marijuana, smokers. Tobacco contains many toxins and carcinogens and is extremely hazardous to your health, whereas marijuana has proven medicinal and other health benefits. That said, the mere act of smoking on a regular basis can result in higher life insurance rates.

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How do life insurance companies view marijuana use?

The National Association of Insurance Commissioners (NAIC) recognizes that the majority of U.S. states have legalized marijuana for either medical or recreational use or both. But how do life insurance companies feel about marijuana use?

Most insurance companies do not view marijuana use as a reason to deny insurance coverage. Because insurance providers use different underwriting policies and formulas, the types of policies and rates for marijuana users will vary from insurer to insurer.

As a general rule, however, because marijuana users smoke it and/or use it to help with other medical conditions, you can expect that marijuana use will impact the cost of life insurance. It’s similar to the question: does having a medical marijuana card affect your health insurance? The answer is, yes, it can.

One reason life insurance rates may be higher for cannabis users is that medical marijuana is sometimes prescribed to treat high-risk medical conditions, like cancer or autoimmune disorders. As a result, it may be the underlying or preexisting medical condition that impacts the cost of life insurance more than the fact that the policyholder uses marijuana. 

Another reason marijuana use may mean higher life insurance costs is because, as discussed above, many users smoke it on a regular basis, which insurers generally deem to be a high-risk activity.

Even if you’re not a weed smoker, and instead take marijuana in edible, ingestible, or topical form, you’re still going to see higher life insurance rates if there is a serious or preexisting medical reason behind the use.

How do I get approved for life insurance if I use marijuana?

Getting approved for life insurance is all about underwriting. The riskier it is to insure someone because of their poor health, dangerous lifestyle, or hazardous occupation, the harder it is to get approved for life insurance, and the more expensive the policy will be if you get approved. 

The best way to get approved for life insurance if you use marijuana is to make sure you have a medical prescription for it. For most major carriers, someone with a valid medical marijuana prescription could still qualify for a preferred rating so long as other risk factors are low. 

It’s still possible to get approved for life insurance if you’re a recreational pot user. Just understand that the more you use, the more expensive your rates will be, as demonstrated by the following examples of some general marijuana underwriting guidelines.

 

 

 

As you can see, the life insurance underwriting guidelines, practices, and policies for marijuana users vary between insurance companies.

Some companies are more lenient and offer standard nonsmoker rates for people who use marijuana up to eleven times per month, whereas other more conservative companies will assign a tobacco rating if you smoke more than two times per month. 

A common denominator for a lot of insurance companies seems to be a denial of coverage for daily users. Let this be a caveat against daily marijuana use because if you are denied insurance coverage, other insurers can find out, which will lead to higher quotes.

Does marijuana legalization in my state affect my chances of getting life insurance?

If medical and recreational marijuana use is legal in your state, then it will likely improve your chances of getting life insurance, assuming there are no other risk factors that would lead to a decline of coverage. 

Also, in a state where weed is legal, an insurer cannot discriminate against you if you use it recreationally. That said, if you’re using pot for a medical reason with or without a prescription, the underlying condition could impact your coverage and rates.

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Do life insurance companies test for THC?

Certain drug tests used by life insurance companies can detect the presence of THC in hair follicles, the bloodstream, and urine. 

Life insurance companies often use drug tests in connection with medical exams as part of the application process. Even if you’re not drug tested, depending on the length and frequency of use, medical marijuana may be documented in your medical or prescription records.

Given that marijuana use could be detected through drug tests or medical records, it’s best not to lie about it. Lying on an insurance application is a form of fraud. So, what can happen if you lie on your life insurance application? Well, insurance fraud could cause your policy to be canceled or benefits to be denied.

The Bottom Line: Life Insurance for Marijuana Users Is Possible but May Cost More

Generally speaking, you shouldn’t be denied life insurance just because you use marijuana. When it comes to marijuana use and life insurance, you can still be approved for life insurance at the preferred rate if you use cannabis with a medical prescription, don’t use it that often, and don’t use it for a serious underlying or preexisting medical condition. Even if you’re a recreational pot smoker, you should still be able to get coverage, but you can expect your life insurance premiums to be higher than non-marijuana smokers.

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