The state Assembly committee on financial institutions advanced the two bills, but the state Senate has yet to take up either.
The first (A377) protects insurance companies and their employees from retaliation by state or local government if they engage with marijuana-related businesses. The bill cleared committee 11-1 with one abstention.
The other measure (A1708) would require workers’ compensation and personal injury protection to cover costs associated with medical marijuana in certain circumstances. The patient must have tried at least one other type of treatment and found it to be unsuccessful before turning to marijuana.
That bill does not make Medicare or private insurers responsible for funding medical marijuana. The committee voted 9-4 to advance it.