Pennsylvania bill pushes insurers to cover medical marijuana for workers' comp

OG Article By Matthew Sellers

Augest 8, 2025

Pennsylvania lawmakers are taking action – here's what's in the new bill

Pennsylvania is moving to make workers’ comp insurers pay for medical marijuana, a shift that could change how claims are handled across the state. 

On July 28, 2025, House Bill No. 1766 was introduced in the Pennsylvania General Assembly. The bill proposes an amendment to the act of June 2, 1915 (P.L.736, No.338), known as the Workers’ Compensation Act.

The purpose of the bill is to require employers to provide reimbursement to a qualifying patient who obtains medical marijuana for certified medical use under the act of April 17, 2016 (P.L.84, No.16), known as the "Medical Marijuana Act." The bill was referred to the Committee on Labor and Industry on August 4, 2025. If enacted, the act will take effect in 60 days. 

The bill states that a qualifying patient shall be eligible for a dollar-for-dollar reimbursement on medical marijuana, for a maximum monthly reimbursement of two hundred fifty dollars ($250). Any monthly amount in excess of two hundred fifty dollars ($250) that the qualifying patient spends on medical marijuana or manufactured marijuana products is not eligible for reimbursement under this provision. The yearly maximum for reimbursements is three thousand dollars ($3,000). 

The bill also provides that an insurer shall establish a system to reimburse qualifying patients under this provision on at least a quarterly basis. In addition, a patient shall be eligible for reimbursement of the fee to obtain and renew the identification card required for a patient to be dispensed medical marijuana under the "Medical Marijuana Act.” 

The bill defines "identification card," "medical marijuana," and "patient" as having the meanings given to them under section 103 of the "Medical Marijuana Act." 

The bill focuses solely on updating the state’s workers’ compensation statute, without addressing or altering any existing insurance policy language. Its changes are limited to the statutory schedule of compensation. 

If enacted, the act will take effect in 60 days.