Get Affordable Life Insurance for Medical or Recreation Marijuana Use

If you are using medical marijuana or use it for recreational purposes, it’s not that difficult to qualify for affordable life insurance. The trick for getting the best rates is to work with an independent agent who can shop your application with multiple insurance carriers, especially those that are considered “marijuana friendly.”

There are skilled agents out there who can place your business with highly-rated insurance carriers and deliver an insurance solution for you even if you use marijuana in a state that has not legalized.

The Times have Changed

Over the last twenty years, our country has witnessed the liberalization and legalization of marijuana laws in eight states for recreational use and 29 states for medicinal use. As the country has started to accept marijuana use so have many insurers. Underwriting has become more liberal over the last ten years than it has ever before.

Unless the federal government steps in (still illegal under federal law), it’s safe to assume that more states will be added to the list of friendly marijuana states, especially for medicinal use.

The states that have legalized recreational use of marijuana are:

Alaska, California, Colorado, Maine, Massachusetts, Nevada, Oregon and Washington including Washington D.C.

The states that now allow medical use of marijuana are:

Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Florida, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, Nevada, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Washington, West Virginia including Washington D.C.

It’s important to note that medical marijuana states only legalize the use for certain conditions or symptoms and each state is different. But the bottom line is, it doesn’t matter because the insurance companies do not consider legalization. In other words, marijuana friendly life insurers don’t care what state you live in; they care about how much you use and why you use it.

Do Applicants that Smoke Marijuana qualify as Smokers or Non-Smokers?

The short answer is “it depends on the company you apply with.” Some factors that each company will consider are:

• Medical Use: If you use medical marijuana that is prescribed by your doctor, you can qualify for non-smoker rates as long as you don’t smoke or use tobacco products. The underwriter’s main concern will be the underlying medical condition that requires you to use medical marijuana. If your underlying condition is considered serious, your rating will be based on that medical condition, not necessarily the drugs you are taking to treat it.
• Recreational Use: If you smoke marijuana for recreation, there are a few companies that offer non-smoker rates, but this depends on your frequency of smoking it. If you smoke marijuana only a two or three times a month, you can still qualify as a non-smoker, but if you use it quite a bit more than that, you’ll like be classified as a smoker. And yes, they will check your blood or urine to verify your usage.

The Top Five Marijuana Friendly Life Insurance Companies

Although life insurance companies can change their underwriting guidelines as they see fit, the top five marijuana friendly insurers are listed below, however, not in any particular order.

MetLife:

• MetLife will offer preferred-plus if you smoke only once per month
• They offer preferred non-smoker if your usage is less than 4 times per week
• They do not test THC levels – they accept admitted usage

Prudential:

• Will offer Standard Plus Non-smoker for usage of fewer than 5 times per week
• You will be table rated if you smoke more than 4 times per week
• More than 6 times per week is a decline

American General:

• Will rate as standard non-smoker if you smoke twice per month
• Offers preferred plus non-smoker if you smoke 1 or 2 times a year
• Must test negative for THC for non-tobacco rates

Mutual of Omaha:

• If you smoke less than twice per month – standard non-smoker
• THC test must match admitted usage

Voya:

 Voya offers standard non-smoker for use less than twice per month

• If prescribed or used daily – smoker rates apply

Tips for Applying for Life Insurance and Marijuana Use

There is a right way and a wrong way to apply for life insurance whether you use marijuana or not. Check out these tips before you start shopping your policy.

1. Tell the Truth – Always be 100% truthful on your application and when you have your medical exam. Your insurance carrier cannot reveal any medical information to your employer, the authorities, or anyone else for that matter. If you lie, they will find you out and decline your application for misrepresentation. You are protected under the federal HIPPA laws for your privacy.
2. The Medical Exam – When you apply for the most affordable life insurance which is fully underwritten, you will be required to undergo a life insurance medical exam. You will also be required to submit a blood and urine sample for analysis. To get the best rates, insurers generally want to see a negative for THC. It’s important to note that THC can be detected in your urine from 3 to 40 days. Take a break before you apply.
3. Drug Questionnaire – Marijuana is considered a drug whether you use it for medical purposes or recreational use. Be prepared to fill out a drug questionnaire that will consist of details regarding your use of marijuana.
4. Prescription Drug Check – Along with the medical exam, your insurance underwriter will order a prescription drug check from a national database. This report will list any prescribed drugs you are taking and will include your prescription for medical marijuana.

If you’ve been fretting about buying affordable life insurance and you use marijuana, take a breath and relax. The good news is that affordable life insurance is available for marijuana users if you know where to shop. MarijuanaLifeInsurance360 is your best resource to get affordable rates and outstanding service.