Canada: New WSIB Policy Allows Entitlement For Medical Cannabis
Publish Date: Mar 28, 2019 07:00
Length: 995 words
Bottom Line
Effective March 1, 2019, the Workplace Safety and Insurance Board (WSIB) has instituted a new policy governing benefit entitlement for medical cannabis.
The Policy
Operational Policy Manual Document No. 17-01-10, “Cannabis for Medical Purposes” (the Policy), applies to purchases of medical cannabis or vaporizers for work-related injuries/illnesses made on or after March 1, 2019. The Policy was published on March 1, 2019 and will be reviewed in two years.
Scope of Benefits
Provided certain criteria are met, the WSIB may grant entitlement to medical cannabis. In such cases, the WSIB will generally cover the reasonable costs of medical cannabis if it is obtained from a hospital or a licensed vendor with whom the worker is registered as a client.
The WSIB will also cover the reasonable cost of a vaporizer if the worker is medically authorized to vaporize cannabis.
To qualify for WSIB coverage, the worker must obtain the WSIB’s approval before purchasing medical cannabis or a vaporizer.