In November, we wrote about a lawsuit filed against Amazon by a New Jersey man claiming he was wrongfully terminated due to a failed marijuana drug test despite being a patient in the state’s medical marijuana program. Now, New Jersey state lawmakers have advanced a bill that would require workers’ compensation to cover medical marijuana.
The bill – A1708 – states that “an employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier or private passenger automobile insurance carrier shall provide coverage for costs associated with the medical use of marijuana.” The bill further provides that “personal injury protection benefits” provided by state law “shall include coverage for costs associated with the medical use of marijuana provided that: (a) the insured is a qualifying patient authorized for the medical use of marijuana…; and (b) At least one other medication or treatment has been attempted and found to be unsuccessful in treating the patient’s debilitating medical condition.” The bill passed out of the state Assembly committee on financial institutions by a 9-4 vote.