Trump approves 'no-cost' marijuana products for Medicare recipients
President Trump signed an executive order Thursday initiating a pilot program that allows Medicare to cover cannabis products for seniors, marking a significant policy shift in federal support for medical marijuana.
The move could provide older Americans with alternative treatments for common ailments, at a time when marijuana use among adults 65 and older is rising sharply. A 2023 NYU study found that 7% of adults in that age group reported using marijuana in the past month, up from 4.8% in 2021 and 5.2% in 2022, representing nearly a 46% increase in two years.
Under the order, marijuana will be reclassified as a Schedule III drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration, placing it alongside medications such as Tylenol with codeine, rather than Schedule I drugs like heroin and LSD. The pilot program will specifically cover cannabidiol (CBD) products for Medicare beneficiaries, with coverage expected to begin as early as April next year if recommended by a doctor. CMS Administrator Mehmet Oz confirmed that Medicare Advantage insurers are also expected to consider CBD coverage for the roughly 34 million Americans they insure.
Trump said the policy recognizes marijuana’s potential medical applications, including as a substitute for addictive and potentially dangerous opioids. While proponents praise the program as a step forward, experts caution that long-term CBD use can carry risks, including liver toxicity and interference with other medications. Advocates see the initiative as a significant opening in federal policy toward medical cannabis, while some medical specialists argue the focus on CBD over THC ignores decades of research supporting THC’s therapeutic uses.
The administration is considering expanding coverage if the pilot program proves successful, potentially extending access to more conditions and Medicaid beneficiaries as well. This marks the latest in a series of moves by the federal government to re-examine cannabis policy, following recommendations from HHS to loosen restrictions and reclassify marijuana.
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