How do life insurance underwriters view people who smoke marijuana?

Obtaining life insurance for people that smoke marijuana can be challenging for some because it is a drug that is both illegal, and is considered by some medical studies to have an inherent health risk.

The long term health risk effects of using marijuana are medically debatable and some insurers will not issue a policy to those who engage in this practice. One thing that appears fairly common is that marijuana is used by smoking the product.

There is some medical evidence which suggests that using marijuana poses the same health risks found with tobacco consumption. Those insurers who do insure marijuana users will likely apply the same guidelines that they do to tobacco smokers.

The prime concern to underwriters will be in the amount and the frequency of marijuana a person smokes. Some users are medically prescribed and can legally use marijuana, so an underwriter would also be concerned about the medical reasons why they were prescribed this drug.

Finding life insurance for people that smoke marijuana can vary as some individuals may be declined altogether, while others will find a policy with relative ease as it depends on the policy attitude towards marijuana which can vary from company to company.

What are the health risks of smoking marijuana?

Marijuana contains the medical compound know as Tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) which creates the “high” that users derive from the drug. Marijuana is also considered to contain high amounts or tar and some carcinogenic (cancer causing) agents.

    How much will YOUR life insurance cost?

    There's only one way to find out. Get a free, no-obligation quote now.


Studies are inconclusive and sometimes contradictory as some claim that various lung conditions such as pulmonary conditions can occur from excessive and chronic use of the drug.

Short term effects of using the drug are believed to result in microscopic damage to the lungs similar to those symptoms found with chronic bronchitis which disappear after the cessation of marijuana.

As the potential health risks are debatable, it is difficult to specifically describe the actual health risks of marijuana. Some studies also contend that using marijuana leads to using more dangerous street drugs, and others suggest that some individuals incur personality and psychological changes.

Finding life Insurance for marijuana users

Finding life insurance for people that smoke marijuana may result as an outright denial with some insurers but will not be an issue with other insurers as companies vary considerably in their view and the criteria used.

Some companies which will issue a traditional policy to a marijuana user will do so in the same manner that they use to rate tobacco smokers. The manner in how tobacco smokers and those that smoke marijuana can also vary considerably from company to company because not all smokers are rated the same.

Some users of marijuana who are only occasional recreational smokers may actually qualify for a preferred rating ,and considered as a non-smoker with some companies, while other companies will apply a lower rating for any amount of marijuana that is consumed.


Do you have a question about Marijuana User and insurance that has not yet been answered? Ask your question here to be reviewed by licensed insurance agents.
Top Contributors Of Marijuana User Insurance Answers

The insurance agents below are listed by the number of contributor points they have earned from answering questions related specifically to Marijuana User. You may click on an agent to view their individual agent profile.