Weed Smokers: Can You Get Life Insurance?

Marijuana use will not automatically exclude you from buying life insurance, but policies vary widely by company. While some insurers will not cover cannabis users at all, others will insure applicants using it for medical reasons, and some will even offer competitive rates. If you are using cannabis legally, it should not prevent you from finding life insurance coverage, although you may pay higher rates.

Life insurance companies' approach to marijuana users

The type of marijuana, delivery method, frequency of use, and type of cannabinoid may all play a role in how life insurance companies rate policies for marijuana users. The type of marijuana being used—whether medical or recreational—can play a significant role in how life insurance companies look at it. Some companies see recreational use as a warning sign of health risk, while others see medical use as a health risk.

How marijuana is consumed can also play a role in how it affects life insurance rates. Depending on the marijuana delivery method—vaping, smoking, edibles, etc.—there can be a range of potential impacts on a life insurance policy. Some people point to smoking as the least healthy consumption method, so they believe that other delivery methods should not cause an equivalent hike in rates. However, these determinations are made by individual companies. As a result, some companies may charge higher rates for people who smoke marijuana than those who vape it or consume it in an edible format, while other companies may make no distinction.

How often a person uses marijuana can also play a role in how life insurance companies determine rate impacts. Companies may decide that less frequent use may be a lower health risk. Conversely, more regular consumption of marijuana may be a higher health risk.

Insurers can also consider things like your criminal history and driving record. So if you had a marijuana-related DUI or arrest, it could be a factor in your coverage.

The impact of marijuana use on health

Marijuana use has been linked to a variety of health effects, both positive and negative. Here is an overview of the impact of marijuana use on health:

Positive Effects

Medical marijuana is often used to treat chronic pain, with research suggesting it is effective at relieving this. It has also been used to treat multiple sclerosis, sleep problems, loss of appetite and weight loss, chemotherapy-induced nausea, seizures from epilepsy, and Dravet syndrome or Lennox-Gastaut syndrome. A 2017 review also found some evidence to support the use of cannabis in treating depression and post-traumatic stress disorder symptoms. Additionally, a 2022 Canadian study found a correlation between medicinal cannabis use and reduced alcohol consumption.

Negative Effects

Marijuana use can impair judgement and short-term memory, as well as alter perception, making activities such as driving dangerous. It can also cause respiratory issues similar to those experienced by cigarette smokers, such as coughing, wheezing, and a higher risk of respiratory infections. Marijuana smoke can irritate and inflame the lungs, and the THC in marijuana can weaken the immune system.

Marijuana use has also been linked to an increased risk of psychiatric disorders, including an increased risk of short-term psychosis and long-term mental health conditions such as schizophrenia. There is also some evidence to suggest that people who use cannabis regularly are more likely to experience suicidal thoughts and are at a slightly increased risk of depression. Cannabis use may also exacerbate bipolar disorder symptoms.

Marijuana use during pregnancy is linked to an increased risk of fetal growth restriction, premature birth, stillbirth, and problems with brain development in the baby. THC and other chemicals from marijuana can also be passed to the baby through breast milk.

There is also a risk of addiction associated with marijuana use, with approximately 1 in 10 users becoming addicted. This rate rises to 1 in 6 for those who start using marijuana before the age of 18.

Overall, while marijuana may have some beneficial effects for certain medical conditions, there are also several negative health impacts associated with its use. It is important to consider these risks and consult with a healthcare professional before using marijuana, especially if you have an underlying health condition.

The effect of marijuana use on life insurance rates

Marijuana users can get life insurance, but they may face higher insurance rates and more complex application processes than non-users. Marijuana's legal status at state but not federal level in the US further complicates the issue.

Insurance companies use a health classification system with five tiers to rank applicants. Some companies categorise marijuana users as tobacco smokers, which can lead to significantly higher premiums. However, others take a more nuanced approach, considering the method and frequency of marijuana consumption, and the reasons for use.

Marijuana users who ingest the drug through edibles, oils and vaporizers are generally considered less risky than those who smoke it. Occasional use may have minimal impact on premiums, especially if the applicant tests negative for THC. However, testing positive for THC or admitting to frequent use will likely result in higher rates.

Marijuana users should aim to get a non-smoking rate, and be completely honest on their application. They may also benefit from working with an independent insurance agent to find an insurer that suits their needs.

The application process for marijuana users

Marijuana use will not automatically exclude you from buying life insurance, but policies vary widely by company. Some insurers just don't want to cover marijuana users at all, while others may insure medical marijuana users but not recreational users. That said, you will be able to find life insurance providers that will insure cannabis users.

When it comes to marijuana, insurance companies consider how often you smoke, whether it's medicinal or recreational, and how you ingest the marijuana. The first two points can help the company understand any underlying medical conditions they would need to know about.

If you smoke fairly regularly or a lot, you'll probably be classified under the smoker class rating, which can more than double the cost of term life insurance compared to non-smoking rates.

If you are applying for a policy that requires a life insurance medical exam, you may undergo a urinalysis. A urine test will detect cannabis for anywhere from three to 30 days after your last use, depending on how frequently you partake. THC can show up in a blood test for up to 14 days after a single use.

It's important to be honest about your marijuana use. Lying on a life insurance application can result in denial or cancellation of your coverage. Lying about marijuana use for life insurance in particular could see consequences like increases in your premiums or a policy rejection.

The consequences of lying about marijuana use

Marijuana users can get life insurance, but lying about it on an application can have serious consequences.

Insurance companies double-check everything on your application, and lying can be considered life insurance fraud. If the insurance company finds out you lied, your application will be rejected. If they discover your lie after accepting your application, they can deny your family's death benefit claim when you die.

If you lie about your marijuana use and the insurance company doesn't catch it within the two-year contestability period, your beneficiaries will likely still receive the death benefit. However, if the lie is caught within this period, there will likely be a problem with the claim.

Additionally, if you lie about your marijuana use and the insurance company finds out, they may revise the offer to include smoker rates, which can be three to five times higher than non-smoker premiums.

It is always best to be honest on your life insurance application and consult a licensed insurance agent if you have any questions.

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