By George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law
A new study has revealed that one in five Medicare recipients use medical marijuana and two-thirds think Medicare should cover it. MedicarePlans.com, a group examining various Medicare issues, commissioned the online poll of 1,250 Medicare recipients in April 2022.
Two-thirds of those polled said they “strongly agree” or “agree” that medical marijuana should be covered by Medicare. Thirty-four percent said they “disagree” or “strongly disagree.”
More Details About Responses.
In the poll, 23% admitted to using medical pot in the past, and 21% said they currently use it to treat one or more medical conditions. Additionally, current use for health reasons was highest among respondents who used marijuana recreationally (39%). 28% of recreational users said they previously used medical marijuana.
The study revealed that respondents use it to treat various physical and mental health conditions, including 32% for anxiety and 31% for chronic pain. In addition, roughly one-quarter said they use it to treat depression, glaucoma, and symptoms associated with HIV/AIDS, including nausea, appetite loss, and pain.
Nearly six in ten supporters of Medicare coverage of medical marijuana said they do so because it can be effective when other treatments fail. To learn more details and facts about the study, click here to view the Medicare Plan’s website poll.
Reasons Why Medicare Should Cover Medical Marijuana.
- It would save the Medicare Program a fortune in payments it would otherwise make for high-priced prescription drugs peddled by “Big Pharma.”
- It would save the Medicare Program a fortune in payments for physician office visits for such ailments as depression, anxiety, glaucoma, insomnia, chronic pain, lack of appetite, and other such ailments it is known to treat.
- It would help cut down on patients who are unable to get timely appointments to see physicians.
- It would make an otherwise relatively harmless medication more easily available to those who need it.
- It would help reduce prescriptions for highly addictive drugs such as opioids and other “heavy duty” pain medications.
Reasons Why Medicare Can’t Cover Medical Marijuana.
-
- Because it is illegal under federal law, solely because it is on Schedule I of the Controlled Substances Act, defining it as a substance with “high potential for abuse, no currently accepted medical use in treatment in the United States, and a lack of accepted safety for use under medical supervision.” Yes, it is right there along with heroin and LSD. All that has to be done is for the federal government to remove it from Schedule 1.
To keep up to date on the status of medical marijuana, be sure to visit our Marijuana Law Blog regularly.
Contact Experienced Health Law Attorneys for Medical Marijuana Regulatory Matters and Other Health Care Licensing Matters.
The Health Law Firm attorneys can assist health care providers and facilities, such as doctors, pharmacists, and pharmacies, participating in the medical marijuana industry. We represent doctors, pharmacies, and pharmacists facing proceedings brought by state regulators or agencies. We represent health-related businesses and medical professionals in all types of licensing and regulatory matters, including state and federal administrative hearings.
To contact The Health Law Firm please call (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free at (888) 331-6620 and visit our website at www.TheHealthLawFirm.com.
Sources:
Scatton, Kristin. “1 IN 5 MEDICARE RECIPIENTS USE MEDICAL MARIJUANA.” Medicare Plans. (April 12, 2022). Web.
Preidt, Robert. “1 in 5 Medicare Patients Use Medical Marijuana: Survey.” HealthDay. (April 14, 2022). Web.
Health Law Daily. “One In Five Medicare Recipients Say They Use Medical Marijuana, Two-Thirds Say It Should Be Covered By Medicare, Survey Finds.” AHLA. (April 14, 2022). Web.
About the Author: George F. Indest III, J.D., M.P.A., LL.M., is Board Certified by The Florida Bar in Health Law; he is the President and Managing Partner of The Health Law Firm, which has a national practice. Its main office is in Orlando, Florida, area. www.TheHealthLawFirm.com The Health Law Firm, 1101 Douglas Avenue, Suite 1000, Altamonte Springs, FL 32714; Phone: (407) 331-6620 or Toll-Free: (888) 331-6620.
“The Health Law Firm” is a registered fictitious business name of and a registered service mark of The Health Law Firm, P.A., a Florida professional service corporation, since 1999.
Copyright © 2022 The Health Law Firm. All rights reserved.
