Using marijuana, either recreationally or medicinally, doesn’t disqualify you from being able to get life insurance. If you do use marijuana products, how, why, and how much you use them will determine which insurance company will be able to give you the best rate.
Can you qualify for life insurance if you use marijuana?
Yes, you can qualify for life insurance if you use marijuana. Some insurance companies won’t count marijuana use against you at all. Others will consider the method, reason for, and frequency of use to assess your eligibility for coverage.
Life insurance terms you should know
Beneficiaries: The people you name on your life insurance policy to receive the lump sum of money — also known as the death benefit — when you die.
Cash value: The portion of a permanent life insurance policy’s monetary value that grows tax-deferred over the life of the policy.
Death benefit: The amount of money the life insurance company will pay your beneficiaries when you die.
Face amount: The dollar amount, or death benefit, your beneficiaries receive if you die while your life insurance policy is active.
Insured: The person who is covered by the insurance policy.
Policy: The legal document that includes the terms and conditions of your life insurance contract.
Policyholder: The person who owns an insurance policy. Usually, this is the same person as the insured.
Permanent life insurance: A type of life insurance that lasts for the rest of your life and usually includes a cash value account.
Premium: The amount you pay your insurance company to keep your coverage active. Premiums are typically paid monthly or annually.
Riders: Add-ons to a life insurance policy that provide more robust coverage, sometimes for an extra cost.
Term life insurance: A life insurance policy that lasts for a set number of years before it expires. If you die before the term is up, your beneficiaries receive a death benefit.
Underwriting: The process where an insurance company evaluates the risk of insuring you and determines your final rate.
Why does marijuana use affect your life insurance options?
Marijuana may determine your coverage options because some life insurance companies consider it an increased insurance risk. According to the CDC, studies show that using marijuana is linked to increased risk of stroke, heart disease, and other vascular diseases. [1] Most of these studies are based on the effects of smoking marijuana, as opposed to other forms.
A lack of research on the long-term health effects of marijuana use makes insurance companies cautious. As a result, not all insurers assess marijuana use the same way.
What do insurance companies consider when you apply?
The type of marijuana products you use, whether you use for recreational or medicinal purposes, and the frequency of use will determine the cost of your life insurance as well as your options.
Method
One of the key variables insurers consider is the method you use to consume marijuana. If you vape, the insurance companies tend to rate this more harshly than other methods — for example, if you ingest marijuana.
Reason
Insurers make a distinction between recreational and medicinal marijuana use.
Medicinal marijuana is considered medication by most insurers and shouldn’t impact your ability to get a life insurance policy.
However, insurers will want to know about the medical condition you use medicinal marijuana to treat, which might have a greater impact on your ability to get insurance than the use of marijuana.
In many cases, you may need to provide a formal prescription from your doctor to confirm medical use.
If you use marijuana recreationally, the insurance company will want to know how frequently you use it, and will then set their rates accordingly.
Frequency
Insurers will consider how frequently you use marijuana as well. Someone who uses marijuana daily will have different options compared to someone who uses it a few times per month or per year.
No matter how often you use marijuana, it’s important to be honest with the insurance agent you’re working with so they can make sure you’re applying with the company that will be best for you.
Do life insurance companies test for marijuana?
Not all life insurance companies ask about marijuana use, but most of them do. If you take the life insurance medical exam, it includes blood and urine tests, which show THC levels. THC shows up in a blood test up to 36 hours after marijuana use and in a urine test between three and 30 days, depending on the frequency of use. [2]
Should you disclose your marijuana use when you apply?
Yes, you should always be forthcoming about your use of marijuana when you apply. Lying or misrepresenting yourself on your application can be considered life insurance fraud and might disqualify you from being approved or increase the cost of your policy.
What types of life insurance are available if you use marijuana?
The most common types of life insurance policies — term and whole — are available to marijuana users, but your eligibility and options will depend on your personal situation, health profile, and the details of your of marijuana use.
Term life insurance is the best and most affordable option for most people looking to protect their income and provide their family with a financial safety net to cover any debts — including a mortgage or any other type of personal loans. It only lasts for a set term, usually between 10 and 30 years, and doesn’t come with many rules or tax restrictions.
Whole life insurance and other types of permanent life insurance are good options for high-net-worth individuals looking to use life insurance to diversify their investment portfolio, or people with long-term financial obligations or coverage needs, like dependents who require lifelong care. Whole life never expires and comes with a cash value that earns interest in addition to the death benefit payout, but it’s usually much more expensive than traditional term life policies.
Speaking with a licensed insurance agent at Policygenius is the best way to compare life insurance quotes to determine what is best for you.
How much does life insurance cost for marijuana users?
A 30-year-old female in otherwise good health who uses marijuana three to four times per month can expect to pay $23 per month for a 20-year term life insurance policy with a $500,000 payout. A 30-year-old male with a similar profile can expect to pay $29 per month for the same policy.
The cost of life insurance will depend on your age, gender, overall health profile, lifestyle habits, and your marijuana use, as well as the amount of coverage and type of policy you buy. In general, the younger and healthier you are, the lower your rates will be.
20-year term life insurance rates for marijuana users
Age | Gender | Uses marijuana 1-2 times per year | Uses marijuana 3-4 times per month | Uses marijuana daily |
|---|---|---|---|---|
20 | Female | $18.54 | $22.65 | $66.72 |
Male | $23.66 | $30.20 | $78.54 | |
30 | Female | $18.90 | $22.98 | $75.70 |
Male | $22.59 | $29.32 | $87.36 | |
40 | Female | $28.73 | $35.27 | $104.68 |
Male | $34.27 | $42.94 | $130.75 | |
50 | Female | $63.71 | $78.29 | $199.54 |
Male | $81.71 | $102.50 | $264.74 | |
60 | Female | $169.25 | $194.16 | $493.73 |
Male | $234.59 | $268.04 | $712.06 |
Methodology: Average monthly estimated rates are calculated for male and female non-smokers in Preferred Plus, Preferred, and Substandard T2 & T3 health classifications, obtaining a 20-year $500,000 term life insurance policy. Life insurance rates for marijuana users are based on policies offered by Policygenius from Lincoln Financial. Rates may vary by insurer, term, coverage amount, health class, and state. Not all policies are available in all states. Rate illustration valid as of 04/01/2024.
The best life insurance companies for marijuana users
Marijuana users can get affordable life insurance from several insurers. As long as you don’t work in the marijuana industry, you can get coverage at an affordable price with a Brighthouse Financial or Lincoln Financial policy. Marijuana users typically get better rates with these insurers than they would buying life insurance from other companies.
We used industry data, pricing from Policygenius carrier partners, and ratings from third parties like AM Best and J.D. Power to pick the best insurers on the market. Our independent recommendations will help you get life insurance coverage with confidence.
Methodology
Why you can trust our picks
Our recommendations are based on internal and external expert analysis, as well as our Policygenius Life Insurance Price Index, which uses real-time data from leading life insurance companies to determine pricing trends. When reviewing a life insurance company, our editorial team uses a proprietary scoring rubric with five factors — price, policy details, financial strength, transparency, and customer experience — to assign an unbiased rating between one and five stars. These ratings are also taken into consideration as part of our company recommendations. We don’t get paid for our reviews.
Our reviews and recommendations can help you find a reliable insurer for your family’s financial protection, but the best life insurance company for you depends on multiple factors. A licensed agent at Policygenius can support you during the application process to ensure you get the right coverage for your circumstances at the most competitive price.
Best overall: Brighthouse Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Brighthouse Financial
5.0
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Brighthouse Financial offers competitive rates, comprehensive coverage, and application decisions in as little as 24 hours, making it a great choice for people who want to get life insurance coverage without having to take the medical exam.
Pros and cons
Pros
Extremely affordable
Instant-decision applications
Best-in-class no-exam option
Cons
Traditional term life not available in CA, IL, LA, ME, or NY
Term life applicants limited to ages 25-50
Brighthouse SimplySelect — a coverage option offered exclusively through Policygenius that was named the best no-medical-exam life insurance by Forbes — [3] doesn’t require a medical exam to apply.
Marijuana users can get coverage through Brighthouse Financial faster than with other insurers — and they’re more flexible than other insurance companies when it comes to assessing your marijuana use as part of the application process.
Best for daily marijuana users: Lincoln Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Lincoln Financial
4.8
No-medical-exam option
Why we chose it
Lincoln Financial offers a diverse array of life insurance policies, including competitive no-med and high-net-worth options.
Pros and cons
Pros
Affordable rates
Good for many existing health conditions, including depression, stroke, and heart conditions
Good for marijuana users, including daily users
Cons
Term life not available in New York
Most insurers won’t offer daily marijuana users their most affordable rates, especially if they primarily smoke. That’s why Lincoln Financial’s progressive approach to marijuana use makes it a great fit for daily users. In most cases, the company will offer cheaper rates than others to people who use marijuana on a daily basis.
Best life insurance for occasional marijuana users: Corebridge Financial
2024 Policygenius award winner
Corebridge Financial
4.6
30+ year terms
All 50 states
Why we chose it
With competitive pricing and a range of flexible term periods for its Select-a-Term product, Corebridge is a solid option for many life insurance shoppers. Note: We are currently using AIG’s financial strength ratings until Corebridge has its own rating.
Pros and cons
Pros
Competitive pricing for all ages
Favorable underwriting for people with heart conditions and diabetes
Good for current and recently pregnant people, including people with gestational diabetes
Cons
Not the best for people with mental health conditions, including anxiety and depression
No no-medical-exam term option
Corebridge Financial (formerly AIG Life & Retirement) is one of few insurers that treat infrequent marijuana users as non-smokers, but what sets them apart is its affordable rates, especially for young people. However, make sure to be truthful during the application process — even if you only use marijuana occasionally. If you test positive for THC after saying you don’t use marijuana, your application could be declined.
Best for people who use medical marijuana: Corebridge Financial
Many life insurance companies view medicinal marijuana differently than recreational marijuana. Your rates will usually depend on the health condition the marijuana was prescribed to treat. With that in mind, Corebridge Financial offers some of the most affordable rates for people with a number of health conditions, including diabetes, heart disease, and chronic kidney disease.
Comparing the best life insurance companies for marijuana users of 2024
Insurer | Policygenius rating | Best for | AM Best Rating | |
5.0/5 ★ | Overall | A | ||
4.8/5 ★ | Daily marijuana users | A | ||
4.6/5 ★ | Occasional marijuana users, medicinal marijuana users | A |
Read more about the best life insurance companies of 2024
Other life insurance considerations for marijuana users
What happens if you stop using marijuana after being approved for life insurance?
In most cases, if you stop using marijuana after your life insurance policy has become active you can be eligible for reconsideration. Reconsideration is an option that allows you to ask your insurer to review your rates if your health improves or you quit smoking. With most insurance companies, you’ll be eligible for reconsideration after 12 months of not using any marijuana products.
Can your life insurance policy be canceled if you lie about your marijuana habits?
If you lied about your use of marijuana on your application and the insurer later finds out, it could have consequences for you. Your beneficiaries could receive a lower death benefit than you purchased, or be denied the payout altogether.
Always be honest with the life insurance company about your marijuana use, even if you may not test positive for THC when you’re applying. There’s no reason to lie and put your loved ones at risk of not getting the financial protection you intended for them in the first place, since you can still get an affordable policy if you smoke marijuana.
Can you get life insurance coverage if you work in the cannabis industry?
If you currently work in the cannabis industry, you’ll likely not qualify for life insurance coverage with most insurers. This is because marijuana is still not legal at the federal level.
Other health concerns that can affect your life insurance
Certain pre-existing conditions and other health-related concerns can affect your life insurance options or costs. A Policygenius expert can help you find the right policy for your needs.
Mental health issues such as depression or anxiety
