ASSEMBLY APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

 

STATEMENT TO

 

[First Reprint]

ASSEMBLY, No. 1708

 

with committee amendments

 

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

 

DATED:  OCTOBER 26, 2020

 

      The Assembly Appropriations Committee reports favorably, and with committee amendments, Assembly Bill No. 1708 (1R).

      As amended, this bill requires workers’ compensation, personal injury protection (PIP), and health insurance coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.

      The bill provides that personal injury protection automobile insurance benefits, workers’ compensation benefits, and health benefits plans must include coverage for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis, provided that the insured or the employee is a qualifying patient authorized for the medical use of cannabis pursuant to the “Jake Honig Compassionate Use Medical Cannabis Act,” P.L.2009, c.307 (C.24:6I-1 et al).

      In addition, the bill provides that an employer or workers’ compensation insurance carrier, private passenger automobile insurance carrier, or health insurance carrier is not required to provide coverage or benefits for costs associated with the medical use of cannabis upon intervention by the federal government to enforce of the federal "Controlled Substances Act" (21 U.S.C. s.802 et seq.).

      Lastly, the bill provides that an employer, insurer, or health insurance carrier shall, if for any reason payment by the employer, insurer, or health insurance carrier to the medical cannabis dispensary is not feasible, remit directly to the insured, employee, or covered person the costs for any benefits associated with the medical use of cannabis upon proof of payment by the insured, employee, or covered person to the medical cannabis dispensary.

 

Committee Amendments:

      The committee amended the bill to require health insurance carriers to provide coverage for the medical use of cannabis under certain circumstances.

 

FISCAL IMPACT:

      This bill is not certified as requiring a fiscal note.