Federal Bill Would Require Data Collection on Cannabis-Related Medicaid Spending

A federal bill introduced on Monday would require the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to collect Medicaid spending on cannabis-related inpatient and outpatient care and emergency room visits related to cannabis use. The bill, sponsored by North Carolina Sen. Ted Budd (R), comes just weeks after the launch of a pilot program that allows Medicare providers to get reimbursed up to $500 per patient annually to discuss and provide some hemp-derived cannabis products.   

In a statement, Budd contends that cannabis use has “serious” health consequences and that lawmakers need “to put the health and safety of the American people first, full stop.”   

“This is exactly why lawmakers need access to reliable data that details Medicaid spending associated with marijuana abuse. Millions of Americans rely on Medicaid healthcare benefits, and my legislation will ensure Congress understands the dangers of this drug and its impact on federally funded health programs.” — Budd in a press release 

The bill is backed by anti-cannabis group Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM), which is also suing the federal government over the pilot program allowing reimbursement for hemp-derived products. In a statement, Kevin Sabet, CEO of SAM, said the organization “enthusiastically” supports the legislation. 

“Senator Budd’s bill calls for an accounting of taxpayer-funded health programs and the impact of normalizing this dangerous drug on their costs,” Sabet said in the statement, “and that’s long overdue.”  

In addition to collecting data on Medicaid costs associated with cannabis use, the Marijuana Impact on Medicaid Act would require HHS to provide a report to Congress within one year of enactment that includes a summary of findings from data collection, in addition to providing recommendations for potential legislative or administrative actions to consider.