Employee benefits

Benefit brokers consider efficacy of medical cannabis

By Bruce Shutan

Published May 5, 2026 8:00 AM EDT Updated May 6, 2026 1:38 PM EDT 5 Min Read

Medicinal marijuana in liquid, being put in bottle with a dropper — Adobe Stock

Key insight: Learn how employer medical-cannabis reimbursement is redefining health-benefit cost strategies.
Supporting data: $100–$175 monthly stipends already offered by some platforms to cover medical cannabis.
Forward look: Federal rescheduling and HHS initiatives could broaden employer reimbursement pathways.
Source: Bullets generated by AI with editorial review

Bruce Shutan

Contributing writer

Bruce Shutan is an Employee Benefit News contributing writer based in Portland, Oregon.

For reprint and licensing requests for this article, click here.

Benefits Think Why ICHRA is a broker opportunity

Brokers can model ICHRA versus group plans and benchmark contributions against various metal tier plans such as gold plans.

September 9

Lindsey Miller

Softheon

Benefits Think Healthcare costs are rising. Here’s how brokers can help employers respond

Gap coverage, supplemental benefits and options for various types of workers can help avoid cost shifting and still provide support.

August 21

Chris Berggren

Benefits Think Preparing benefits for the next wave: Gene therapy medications

As the scope of gene therapy grows, understanding their impact and cost can help organizations decide how to cover them through their healthcare plans.

July 23

Katherine Shanahan

Employee benefits

Medical cannabis reimbursement moves from fringe to workplace benefit

CannaLnx, a new digital health platform, connects doctors, insurers and dispensaries as employers begin adding reimbursable medical cannabis to workplace benefit plans.

By Jimmy Nesbitt

Reporter

Employee Benefits News

December 30

A health professional writes a script for medical cannabis.

Healthcare

Small businesses are cutting healthcare costs — without cutting benefits

Rising healthcare costs are squeezing small businesses, but HSAs and HRAs are benefit strategies keeping care affordable.

By Paola Peralta

Associate Editor

Employee Benefit News

November 20