Government Health Insurance

Due to the increase in awareness of medical marijuana and its treatment of specific medical needs and conditions, it is becoming more understood and accepted as a treatment option. However, in Canada, provincial health insurance plans, such as OHIP, do not cover the cost of medical marijuana, even when prescribed by a medical practitioner.

Private or Employer Health Insurance Plans

In some cases, a private health insurance company or an employer may offer a plan with special medical cannabis coverage options. In these cases, the medical cannabis must have a Drug Identification Number (DIN) to be approved as an “eligible drug” by the Federal Government of Canada.

Who may be eligible for private insurance coverage?

If your private insurance company does offer medical marijuana coverage, you must meet many requirements, including:

• you are being treated for a condition that is covered under the health plan; and
• you provide a medical document from a health care practitioner confirming you require medical marijuana; and
• the medical marijuana must be bought from a Health Canada-licensed seller of medical cannabis; or
• if you grow your own, or have someone else grow it for you, you must have a Registration Certificate from Health Canada authorizing you or the other person to produce marijuana for medical purposes.

Like other medical expense plans, there will be a coverage amount maximum.

What conditions might be covered under a private plan?

Although each plan is different, the most common conditions that may be covered include:

• severe pain with cancer,
• nausea and vomiting with cancer treatments
• spasticity or neuropathic pain, with neurological disorders
• rheumatoid arthritis when all other standard treatments have failed
• anorexia or neuropathic pain, with HIV/AIDS
• palliative care

Claiming cannabis on your tax return

You can claim medical cannabis expenses as a tax credit on your tax return, as long as you have medical authorization, and receipts from an approved Health Canada licensed seller.

Get help

To erase your criminal record for simple cannabis possession or any other criminal charges, call toll-free 1-888-808-3628 or learn more at Pardon Partners. It’s easier than you think.

If you have been charged with a criminal offence, it is important to hire an experienced criminal defence lawyer as soon as possible. Contact our preferred criminal defence expert, Calvin Barry Criminal Lawyers for a free consultation at 416-938-5858 .

								
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