Will Medicaid Pay for Medical Marijuana?

General

5 minutes read

John Alvarez
February 4, 2025

Medicaid is a joint state and federal program that helps people cover some medical costs. It is designed to help people with limited incomes have access to the healthcare they need. However, there’s a lot of confusion regarding whether medical marijuana will be covered under Medicaid or not. Let’s explore the relationship between medical marijuana and Medicaid in depth.

Is Medical Marijuana Legal?

Whether or not marijuana is legal depends on your state’s rules and regulations. In some states, you can treat certain health conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, HIV/AIDS, epilepsy, and seizures using medical marijuana. However, in some states, you can’t use medical marijuana at all. We suggest you check your state laws to figure out whether medical marijuana is legal in your state or not.

What are the Benefits of Medical Marijuana?

Medical marijuana has several benefits, including the following:

1. Cancer (end-stage or undergoing treatment)

Pain Management: Cannabis can alleviate severe pain from cancer and its treatment, potentially reducing the need for opioid painkillers, which can have significant side effects and addiction potential.
Nausea and Vomiting: THC in cannabis is effective in reducing nausea and vomiting associated with chemotherapy, improving appetite and quality of life.
Appetite Stimulation: Cannabis stimulates appetite (“the munchies”), helping patients maintain a healthy weight during treatment.

2. Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Muscle Spasticity: Cannabis helps reduce muscle spasticity and cramps associated with ALS.
Pain Relief: Provides relief from chronic pain that often accompanies ALS.
Improved Sleep: Enhances sleep quality, which can be disrupted by ALS symptoms.

3. Seizure Disorders (Epilepsy)

Seizure Reduction: Cannabidiol (CBD) has shown efficacy in reducing the frequency and severity of seizures in conditions such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome.
Neuroprotective Effects: Cannabinoids may protect neurons from damage, which is beneficial for long-term management of seizure disorders.

4. Multiple Sclerosis (MS)

Muscle Spasticity and Pain: Medical marijuana can help manage muscle spasticity and chronic pain in MS patients.
Improved Motor Function: Enhances motor control and coordination.
Bladder Control: Assists with bladder control issues common in MS.

5. Crohn’s Disease

Inflammation Reduction: Cannabis reduces inflammation in the gut, easing symptoms of Crohn’s disease.
Pain Relief: Alleviates abdominal pain and cramping.
Appetite Stimulation: Improves appetite and combats weight loss.

6. Mitochondrial Disease

Energy Levels: Some studies suggest cannabinoids may help with managing fatigue and improving energy levels.
Pain and Inflammation: Reduces pain and inflammation associated with mitochondrial diseases.

7. Parkinson’s Disease

Tremor Reduction: Cannabis can help reduce tremors and muscle rigidity.
Improved Motor Function: Enhances overall motor function and coordination.
Pain and Sleep Issues: Manages chronic pain and improves sleep quality.

8. Sickle Cell Disease

Pain Management: Effective in managing the severe pain episodes associated with sickle cell disease.
Improved Quality of Life: Reduces pain and stress, improving overall quality of life.

9. Tourette’s Syndrome

Reduction in Tics: Cannabinoids help reduce the frequency and severity of motor and vocal tics.
Behavioral Improvements: Assists in managing behavioral symptoms and improving daily functioning.

10. Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD)

Behavioral Management: Manages behavioral issues and improves social interaction.
Anxiety Reduction: Reduces anxiety and stress commonly associated with ASD.
Improved Sleep: Helps with sleep disturbances prevalent in individuals with ASD.

11. PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder)

Anxiety Reduction: Cannabis helps manage anxiety and stress related to PTSD.
Sleep Improvement: Improves sleep quality and reduces nightmares.
Mood Stabilization: Assists with mood regulation and emotional stability.

12. Intractable Pain

Pain Relief: Provides effective relief for chronic and severe pain resistant to other treatments.
Reduced Dependence on Opioids: Offers an alternative to opioid painkillers, reducing the risk of addiction and side effects.

13. Peripheral Neuropathy

Pain Management: Alleviates neuropathic pain, which is often challenging to treat with conventional methods.
Improved Sensory Function: Reduces symptoms like tingling and numbness.

14. HIV/AIDS

Appetite Stimulation: Helps with appetite loss and weight management.
Nausea and Pain Relief: Reduces nausea and pain associated with HIV/AIDS and its treatments.

15. Alzheimer’s Disease

Cognitive Function: May help manage cognitive decline in advanced stages.
Behavioral Symptoms: Reduces agitation and aggression, improving overall behavior and quality of life.

16. Terminal Illness

Palliative Care: Provides comfort and symptom relief, focusing on improving quality of life in the final stages.

17. Severe or End-Stage Heart Failure, Lung Disease, or Other Debilitating Illnesses

Symptom Relief: Manages severe pain, nausea, and loss of appetite.
Improved Quality of Life: Enhances comfort and overall quality of life.

Does Medicaid Cover Medical Marijuana Cards?

No, Medicaid will not cover the cost of your medical marijuana card. However, some states may have programs to help patients afford cards.

Marijuana Treatments that Medicaid Covers

If you have drug coverage through Medicaid, it will cover two cannabis treatments approved by the FDA: dronabinol and cannabidiol.

Dronabinol: Dronabinol is a synthetic THC medication approved by the FDA for treating nausea and vomiting. It is commonly used to treat AIDS, anorexia, and the side effects of chemotherapy. Medicaid covers this treatment as it is FDA-approved.
Cannabidiol: Cannabidiol is a non-psychoactive compound used to treat types of epilepsy, such as Dravet syndrome and Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. This cannabis treatment has been through extensive research and has been approved by the FDA, which makes it eligible for Medicaid coverage.

Why Medicaid Does Not Currently Cover Medical Marijuana

Medicaid doesn’t cover your medical marijuana due to regulatory and legal barriers. Here’s why:

Federal Restrictions on Coverage

Medical marijuana is still illegal under federal law despite it being legalized in different states. It is considered a Schedule I drug and, therefore, cannot be covered by Medicaid. A lot of research is being carried out to identify medical marijuana as a useful medication. However, while it is illegal under federal law and classified as a Schedule 1 drug, it cannot be covered.

FDA Approval Requirement

Only FDA-approved medicines and treatment options are covered by Medicaid. As medical marijuana has not undergone the testing required for FDA approval, it’s still not included in Medicaid coverage.

Cannabis’s legal status is quite complex, which limits the research opportunities and affects Medical Marijuana Card Age Requirements. However, some medications, like dronabinol and CBD, have passed the required clinical trials to be approved for certain conditions.

The Future of Medicaid and Medical Marijuana

Different research is being carried out on whether medical marijuana should be included in the future of Medicaid coverage or not. Here’s what medical coverage on medical marijuana may look like:

Pending Legislation and Policy Changes

As different states are legalizing medical marijuana, medical experts are suggesting that federal programs like Medicaid may need to adjust their regulations. As of now, various bills have been presented to legalize marijuana’s classification and approve it for medical treatment.

In the future, marijuana may be reclassified as something other than a Schedule I drug. If this happens, Medicaid may be able to cover medical marijuana costs.

Medical Research Developments

Medical marijuana has been effective in treating epilepsy, PTSD, chronic pain, and other medical conditions. Future developments in medical research may convince policymakers to allow Medicaid to cover medical marijuana. As more medications receive FDA approval, they may be available for coverage by Medicaid.

Final Thoughts

Medicaid doesn’t cover medical marijuana due to its classification as a Schedule I substance and federal restrictions. However, some cannabis medications like dronabinol and cannabidiol are FDA-approved and covered by Medicaid.

In the future, research and policy developments may eventually lead to a shift in Medicaid’s stance on medical marijuana coverage. Until then, patients should explore state-specific programs and financial aid options to manage their medical marijuana needs.

If you need a medical marijuana card at an affordable price, Elevated Health MD is the right option for you also helps you to qualifying for medical marijuana card. Our medical team will help you get your card approved quickly. Schedule an appointment with us today!

Frequently Asked Questions

Are there any states where Medicaid pays for medical marijuana?

No, since Medicaid is a federal program, it doesn’t cover medical marijuana as it is still classified as a Schedule I drug. However, in some states, patients who consume medical marijuana are provided with discounts and financial aid while purchasing it for medical purposes.