Marijuana use is more common and accepted in 2025, but it can still affect your life insurance application. Whether you use cannabis recreationally, medicinally, or infrequently, insurers may evaluate your usage during the underwriting process. This includes asking lifestyle questions and possibly conducting a life insurance drug screening, such as a urine or blood test. While marijuana use no longer results in automatic denial from many providers, it can still influence your premium rates, smoker classification, or policy approval depending on frequency, method of intake, and the insurer’s policies. This guide outlines what to expect, how insurers assess marijuana use, and how to find the most suitable cover.
Can I Buy Life Insurance If I Use Marijuana?
Yes, you can buy life insurance if you use marijuana. Many insurers in 2025 accept applicants who use cannabis recreationally or medically. However, your frequency of use, health status, and how the insurer classifies marijuana may affect your premiums or approval.
Life insurance companies no longer treat marijuana use the same way they did a decade ago. Some classify marijuana users as smokers, which may raise premiums, while others consider light or occasional use as non-smokers. You may be asked lifestyle questions about your cannabis habits, and some providers may require a life insurance drug screening, such as a urine or blood test. These tests often check for THC and other substances to assess risk.
For applicants using marijuana medicinally, documentation from your doctor may be required. Each provider uses its underwriting guidelines, so it’s possible to find a policy that suits your usage habits. Being upfront about your cannabis use can avoid complications later, such as a denied claim due to nondisclosure.
Can I Get Life Insurance Coverage if I Work in The Cannabis Industry?
Yes, you can get life insurance coverage if you work in the cannabis industry. Your role, employer structure, and state or territory laws may influence the underwriting process, but working in this field doesn’t automatically disqualify you.
Life insurance providers assess applicants based on personal health, lifestyle, and occupation risk. If your role in the cannabis sector is administrative, sales, or licensed cultivation, insurers may treat your application like any other. However, working directly with cannabis plants or in unlicensed operations may signal further review. Your policy options and premiums may vary depending on the insurer’s stance toward the cannabis industry, which can differ across Australia.
Disclosure is important; failure to mention your employment or involvement in cannabis operations could result in policy denial or future claim disputes. Some insurers may request additional documentation to confirm the legality of your employer or the scope of your work.
What Types of Life Insurance Are Available if I Use Marijuana?
Several types of life insurance are available to marijuana users, including term life, whole life, and no-medical-exam policies. Approval and pricing depend on frequency of use, health history, and insurer guidelines.
- Term Life Insurance: This is the most common and affordable option for marijuana users. It provides cover for a set period, such as 10, 20, or 30 years. Occasional cannabis use may not affect your eligibility or rates, depending on the insurer’s policy on THC and lifestyle risk factors.
- Whole Life Insurance: This option offers lifelong coverage and includes a cash value component. Premiums are higher than term life, and insurers typically require medical screening. Marijuana users who are healthy and use cannabis infrequently may still qualify at standard or near-standard rates.
- No-Medical-Exam Policies: For those concerned about life insurance drug screening, some insurers offer simplified issue or guaranteed issue policies. These often skip THC testing but come with higher premiums and lower benefit amounts. They can be suitable for users concerned about test results or past use.
Each insurer assesses marijuana use differently, so working with a broker or provider familiar with cannabis-friendly policies may help you find the most suitable option.
Do Life Insurance Companies Test for Marijuana During the Application Process?
Yes, life insurance companies often test for marijuana during the application process, especially when medical exams are required. Testing typically includes urine, blood, and sometimes saliva samples.
- Urine Test: This is the most common method used to detect THC, the primary psychoactive compound in cannabis. The test can detect marijuana use several days to weeks after consumption, depending on frequency and dosage. Results may influence your risk category and premium.
- Blood Test: Some insurers conduct blood testing to assess overall health and detect drug use. THC can be detected in blood for a shorter duration than in urine, but it still provides a dependable snapshot of recent use.
- Saliva or Hair Testing (less common): Some providers may use these to confirm longer-term usage patterns, although they are less frequently used in standard underwriting.
If THC is detected, the outcome will depend on the insurer’s guidelines. Some companies classify users as non-smokers if cannabis use is occasional, while others group them with tobacco users, leading to higher premiums. Full disclosure and working with insurers that differentiate between marijuana and tobacco can improve your outcome.
What is the Frequency of Marijuana Usage?
Life insurance companies generally assess marijuana use based on how often you consume it. This frequency directly influences your risk rating and premiums. Insurers typically group applicants into the following categories:
- Occasional Use (1–2 times per month): Many providers consider this low-risk. Some insurers may offer standard non-smoker rates if there are no other health concerns.
- Moderate Use (1–2 times per week): You may still qualify for coverage, but rates are usually higher. Some insurers may classify you as a smoker even if you don’t use tobacco.
- Frequent Use (3 or more times per week): Most insurers will categorize this as high-risk. You may be charged smoker rates or be declined coverage, depending on the company.
- Daily Use: Regular daily use can result in smoking rates, limited policy options, or even denial of traditional coverage. In such cases, guaranteed issue or no-exam life insurance may be your best alternative.
Each insurer sets its thresholds, so it’s essential to compare providers. Always disclose your usage honestly, as THC can be detected in life insurance drug screenings.
How Does Marijuana Use Affect Your Life Insurance Rates?
Here’s a table outlining how different patterns of marijuana use may affect your life insurance rates in 2025:
| Marijuana Use Frequency | Typical Classification | Possible Outcome |
| No Use | Non-Smoker | Eligible for preferred or standard non-smoker rates |
| Occasional Use (1–2/month) | Non-Smoker (with some providers) | May qualify for standard rates; honest disclosure is essential |
| Moderate Use (weekly) | Smoker or Standard Risk | Higher premiums and rates depend on the provider’s guidelines and your health profile |
| Frequent Use (3+ times/week) | Smoker or Sub-Standard Risk | Limited choices, likely higher premiums; conservative insurers may decline some |
| Daily Use | Smoker or Declined | Most traditional policies are unavailable; consider no-exam or guaranteed issue options |
Each insurer applies its underwriting criteria so that outcomes may vary. Always compare policies and disclose use truthfully to avoid claim issues later.
What Is the Difference in Life Insurance Rates for Smokers vs Non-Smokers?
Here’s a comparison table showing the difference in life insurance rates for smokers vs non-smokers, assuming a healthy 35-year-old male applying for a 20-year term life policy worth $500,000:
| Classification | Estimated Monthly Premium | Notes |
| Non-Smoker | $30 – $40 | Lower premiums due to a lower health risk profile. |
| Occasional Marijuana User (disclosed) | $40 – $60 | Some insurers may still classify you as a non-smoker depending on usage. |
| Smoker (tobacco or daily marijuana) | $90 – $120 | Significantly higher rates due to increased health and mortality risks. |
Rates vary by insurer, frequency of marijuana or tobacco use, and other health/lifestyle factors. Always disclose the truth during the application.
Is It Risky to Hide Marijuana Use from Your Life Insurance Provider?
Yes, hiding marijuana use from your life insurance provider is risky. If discovered, it may lead to denied claims, cancelled policies, or reclassification to higher premiums after a positive drug test during underwriting or post-claim investigation.
Life insurance applications require full disclosure of lifestyle habits, including substance use. Most insurers conduct urine or blood tests that can detect THC. If marijuana use is uncovered after you’ve stated otherwise, the insurer may void your policy for material misrepresentation. This is particularly serious if your beneficiaries file a claim, and the insurer finds undisclosed marijuana use during an investigation, which can result in non-payment. Being honest ensures transparency and avoids complications during underwriting and future claims.
Will Life Insurance Companies Alert the Police?
No, life insurance companies will not alert the police. Their focus is on assessing risk for underwriting, not enforcing the law. Marijuana use, particularly in jurisdictions where it’s legal, is considered a private health matter, not a criminal issue.
Insurers conduct medical underwriting to determine eligibility and pricing, not to report behaviour to law enforcement. Even if marijuana shows up in a drug test, the result is confidential and protected under privacy laws. However, dishonesty during the application process, such as failing to disclose use, can affect your policy approval or future claims. Being upfront is key to avoiding complications.
What Are the Other Health Concerns that Can Affect Your Life Insurance?
Many health conditions can influence life insurance eligibility and premiums. Insurers assess risk based on medical history, lifestyle, and known diagnoses. Below are common health concerns that may impact your application:
- High blood pressure
- Diabetes
- Heart disease
- Obesity
- High cholesterol
- Depression or anxiety disorders
- Cancer history
- HIV/AIDS
- Sleep apnoea
- Kidney or liver disease
- Alcohol use disorder
- Tobacco or nicotine use
- Neurological conditions
- Chronic respiratory conditions (e.g., asthma, COPD)
- History of stroke or seizures
What Are the Risks and Side Effects of Marijuana?
Marijuana may be legal or medically approved in some areas, but it still carries potential health risks and side effects that insurers may consider during underwriting. These can vary depending on usage frequency, dosage, and individual response:
- Memory and cognitive impairment: Regular use may affect short-term memory, learning ability, and attention span.
- Increased heart rate: THC can temporarily raise heart rate, which may be risky for individuals with heart conditions.
- Respiratory issues: Smoking cannabis can irritate the lungs and cause chronic coughing or bronchitis-like symptoms.
- Mood and mental health effects: It may trigger anxiety, paranoia, or worsen symptoms in individuals with depression or schizophrenia.
- Impaired motor skills: Marijuana can reduce coordination and reaction time, increasing accident risk.
- Addiction potential: Long-term users may develop dependence or withdrawal symptoms upon cessation.
- Altered judgment: It may impact decision-making, which can affect daily functioning or safety.
- Interaction with other medications: THC can interfere with certain prescription drugs, especially those that affect the nervous system.
- Appetite changes: While it may stimulate appetite, it could contribute to weight gain or poor dietary habits.
- Reproductive and hormonal effects: Some studies suggest it may lower sperm count or disrupt menstrual cycles.
What Happens if You Stop Using Marijuana After Being Approved for Life Insurance?
If you stop using marijuana after being approved for life insurance, your existing policy and premium generally remain unchanged. Most life insurance contracts are based on your health status and lifestyle habits at the time of application. If you were rated as a smoker or higher-risk applicant due to marijuana use, stopping won’t automatically lower your rates. However, if enough time has passed since approval, around 12 to 24 months, you may be eligible to request a policy review or reapply as a non-user. In these cases, updated medical exams or health declarations may be required before any rate adjustment is considered.
Why Choose Black Swan Insurance Group for Life Insurance?
Choose Black Swan Insurance Group for life insurance if you want guidance that’s transparent, personal, and backed by experience. We work with trusted providers and take the time to understand your health and lifestyle, including marijuana use, to match you with fair, realistic cover options that reflect your needs today and into the future.
