A new legislative push in Pennsylvania could reshape the state’s workers’ compensation landscape. House Bill 1766 seeks to mandate that insurers reimburse qualifying patients for medical marijuana expenses under the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act.
Filed in the Pennsylvania General Assembly, the bill aims to amend the original Workers’ Compensation Act of 1915 by incorporating reimbursement provisions for certified medical marijuana use.
The proposed measure would require employers to reimburse workers who use medical cannabis as authorized under the state’s Medical Marijuana Act of 2016. The bill was referred to the Committee on Labor and Industry on August 4, 2025.
Any amount spent beyond the monthly limit would not qualify for reimbursement. The bill also mandates that insurers set up a quarterly reimbursement system for patients.
Under the bill, eligible patients would receive full reimbursement for medical marijuana purchases, capped at $250 per month and $3,000 annually.
Additionally, the bill covers fees associated with obtaining and renewing the state-issued medical marijuana ID card.
Definitions for “patient,” “medical marijuana,” and “identification card” follow section 103 of the 2016 Medical Marijuana Act. However, the bill does not modify existing insurance policy terms or coverage language.
It strictly updates the statutory schedule of compensation within the state’s workers’ comp framework.
If passed, the legislation would take effect 60 days after enactment, setting a precedent that could influence similar reforms in other states.
