Does Smoking Marijuana Affect Life Insurance Rates | Complete Guide for 2025 + YouTube Video
When it comes to life insurance for marijuana smokers, people often wonder if their personal lifestyle choices could impact their
ability to secure coverage or affect the premiums they’ll pay. You’re not alone in being concerned.
The good news is that purchasing marijuana life insurance is not only a simple process, but depending on how much you smoke, there might be no increase in your premium at all.
By understanding how insurers assess marijuana use today, you can position yourself to secure the best rates.
This guide will walk you through how insurance providers evaluate marijuana use, the policies you should consider, how to get the very best rates, and why partnering with an independent agent can help you simplify things and save yourself quite a bit of money.
Life insurance companies are increasingly offering life insurance to marijuana smokers without requiring them to be classified as smokers.
Table of Contents
Understanding Life Insurance for Marijuana Smokers
Marijuana use, whether for medical use or recreational purposes, typically won’t exclude you from qualifying for life insurance. However, the details of how your application is handled depend significantly on the insurance company you choose and the factors they weigh. These factors include:
Usage Frequency:
How often do you use marijuana? This is very important due to the effect of health conditions that will develop from heavy marijuana smoking.
Method of Consumption:
Do you smoke, vape, or use edibles such as brownies? Smoking marijuana can cause respiratory damage just like smoking tobacco products.
Purpose of Use:
Is it recreational or prescribed for a medical condition? If you use marijuana for medical purposes, what is the health condition you are using it for?
Your Overall Health History:
Are there any underlying medical conditions? Your health history is by far the most important factor when applying for life insurance.
For example, some insurers may associate smoking marijuana with smoking tobacco and categorize you as a “smoker,” leading to higher premiums. Others might be more lenient with occasional or medical use, offering standard or non-smoker rates.
How to Apply for Life Insurance for Marijuana Smokers: YouTube Video
Life Insurance for Marijuana Smokers F.A.Q.
Here are some of the most common questions we are asked by marijuana users who are planning on applying for life insurance. Keep in mind that the answers to these questions will also be dependent on your health history.
Your overall health will be the most important factor that insurers will consider.
What Is Medical Marijuana All About?
Medical marijuana simply refers to the use of the marijuana plant (cannabis) to treat a disease or medical condition that is recommended by a medical professional such as your family doctor.
The chemical THC causes the user to feel the “high” effect. The other chemical is called Tetrahydrocannabinol which works as an anti-inflammatory drug and also provides an anti-anxiety effect.
Medical marijuana is used to treat chronic pain, symptoms of epilepsy, glaucoma, anxiety and PTSD among others.
Can I Get Life Insurance if I Smoke Marijuana?
Yes, you can buy life insurance with no problem. Your agent, or hopefully us, can help you find a life insurance company that will offer you the lowest rates.
This will require using an insurer that has very competitive rates for smokers. If your marijuana use is minimal, it is possible you will not be given a smoker rating at all.
Will Life Insurance Companies Test for Marijuana Use?
Yes, the life insurance company you apply with will test for the chemical THC in your blood and urine. This will be accomplished when you connect with your paramed nurse. There is no cost for the exam and it will only take about 20 minutes from start to finish.
Chemical THC can remain in your bloodstream for up to one month or even longer, depending on how often you use marijuana products.
Do I Have to Pay Smoker Rates if I Just Smoke Marijuana?
Depending on the carrier you apply with and also depending on how often you use marijuana, will determine the answer in getting a smoker rate or not.
If you don’t use tobacco products and you don’t use marijuana very often, you may receive a non-tobacco rate. This will be quickly be determined by the results of your paramed exam.
Do Insurance Companies Charge the Same for Marijuana as They Do Cigarettes?
If you receive a smoker rate after your application process has been completed, the cost factor will be the same if you smoke tobacco products or just marijuana products alike.
A smoker rate is also referred to as a tobacco rate. Heavy use of smoking marijuana can cause the same degree of lung damage as smoking cigarettes can.
Can the Way I Consume Marijuana Make a Difference?
Yes, your consumption method can make a difference. Smoking marijuana can cause lung and respiratory damage over time. For example, if you eat marijuana brownies or cookies, your habit will be much safer. Inhaling marijuana will always be the most life threatening way to go.
How Much Does Life Insurance Cost for People Who Smoke Marijuana?
Get up to date rates from the most competitive life insurance companies by simply using our website instant rate quoting system. You can get an exact rate quote if you are a heavy POT smoker by selecting a standard smoker class in the health class drop down menu.
If you rarely use marijuana, you can choose preferred non tobacco also found in the rate class menu. You will then be able to compare the best companies side-by-side.
Three Common Challenges for Marijuana Smokers
Being Misclassified as a Smoker:
Many insurers automatically categorize marijuana smokers with tobacco smokers, which can significantly raise premiums. You may face this even if you use marijuana infrequently or through non-smoking methods, like eating marijuana brownies.
Getting the best marijuana life insurance is an easy process and is even getting more simple as the insurers are becoming more liberal towards its use. There are more life insurance options for marijuana users today than there were in the past few years.
Medical Marijuana and Pre-Existing Conditions:
When prescribed for medical conditions, your marijuana use may raise questions about your overall health. Insurers often focus more on the underlying medical issue than the marijuana use itself, and this can lead to higher rates if they perceive the condition as a high-risk factor.
Misrepresentation on Their Application:
Some applicants worry that being transparent about their marijuana use may hurt their chances of approval. However, withholding or misrepresenting information can result in denied claims or canceled policies down the line. Full disclosure is not just a legal requirement, but also a way to ensure lasting coverage.
By being informed and taking specific steps, these challenges can be navigated successfully. Over 7,000 people apply for life insurance for marijuana smokers in the United States every single month.
Marijuana-Friendly Life Insurance Companies
Not all insurance providers treat marijuana use the same way. By aligning yourself with a company that understands your situation, you can secure more favorable rates. Here’s a closer look at some of the top options:
1. Lincoln Financial:
Best for: Daily marijuana users
Why it stands out: Lincoln Financial is one of the few carriers to offer competitive non-smoker rates to heavy or daily marijuana users. This makes it an excellent choice if your usage frequency is higher than average.
For instance, if you use marijuana every day for recreational purposes, some insurers may automatically classify you as a high-risk applicant. Lincoln Financial, however, evaluates the entire picture, including your health status and overall habits, before assigning rates. Lincoln is one of the best companies for life insurance for marijuana smokers.
2. Mutual of Omaha:
Best for: Casual or infrequent users
Why it stands out: If you use marijuana once a week or less, Mutual of Omaha will classify you as a non-smoker, giving you access to some of the industry’s best rates.
Suppose you’re someone who uses marijuana occasionally while remaining in good health. Mutual of Omaha’s leniency toward infrequent users positions you to save a significant amount on premiums.
3. Prudential:
Best for: Recreational users
Why it stands out: Prudential is particularly flexible, offering preferred non-smoker rates to recreational users who consume marijuana up to three times a week.
Compared to other companies, Prudential’s underwriting policies are more progressive, catering to modern lifestyle choices while maintaining competitive pricing.
4. Protective Life:
Best for: Medical marijuana users
Why it stands out: This insurer understands that medical marijuana use is often tied to managing health concerns, and it offers affordable rates even in cases of complex medical histories.
If you’re prescribed marijuana to manage chronic pain or another condition, Protective’s specialized approach can help ensure you’re not penalized unfairly.
5. Transamerica:
Best for: Moderate recreational users
Why it stands out: This company is one of the few that offer smoker or preferred smoker rates to moderate recreational users.
Transamerica can be a fallback option if your frequency of use disqualifies you from receiving non-smoker rates elsewhere. While its policies may be less lenient than others, it’s still a solid choice for moderate usage.
By focusing on these marijuana-friendly life insurance companies, you can simplify your search for affordable premiums and a coverage structure that works for your needs.
6. Pacific Life:
Best for: Applicants who use marijuana up to 4 times a month. This will allow you to receive a preferred non-tobacco rate class. You can even qualify for a non-tobacco rate if you smoke pot up to 8 times per month.
Why it stands out: Pacific Life is known as a very lenient insurer straight across the board for life insurance. They are also lenient with marijuana users, but they can decline your application if you lie on your application concerning the amount of marijuana you use. Your blood and urine tests will spell out how much POT you really consume.
7. John Hancock:
Best for: Applicants that use weed up to 4 times a month.
Why it stands out: If an applicant uses POT up to 4 times a month and no record of THC is found in their blood, they can qualify for a preferred non-smoker rate. If the lab results come back positive, the applicant will likely qualify for a standard smoker rate.
How to Get the Best Life Insurance Rates for Marijuana Smokers
Securing favorable life insurance rates as a marijuana user doesn’t have to involve guesswork. By following these tips, you can position yourself for success:
1. Be Honest on Your Application:
Honesty is the best policy. Always disclose your marijuana use, including your frequency, method of use and purpose. Insurance providers routinely conduct medical exams that include blood and urine tests. These tests may reveal THC levels, and any inconsistencies between your application and test results could jeopardize your approval or policy validity.
2. Partner with an Independent Agent:
Independent agents, otherwise known as brokers, work with multiple insurers, giving you access to a variety of options tailored to your unique situation. They have insider knowledge on which carriers are most lenient toward marijuana users and can help you negotiate lower rates. A broker can provide you with marijuana life insurance quotes from all the most competitive insurers in a snap.
For example, if two companies offer similar policies but rate marijuana use differently, your agent can point you toward the one that saves you the most money.
3. Understand Your Usage Profile:
Insurers often classify applicants based on specific usage patterns:
Recreational Users:
If you use marijuana once a month or less, you’re often eligible for the best rates.
Moderate Users:
Weekly or daily use might raise premiums, but you could still qualify for competitive non-smoker rates with certain insurers.
Medical Users:
While your health status determines most of your premium in this case, working with marijuana-friendly life insurance companies can still help minimize costs. What medical condition are you using medical marijuana to treat is an important question that will come up.
4. Life Insurance Companies Test for THC!
Always remember that Life insurance companies test for THC. Did you know that the chemical THC can remain in your system for up to 30 days? If possible, avoid marijuana use for several weeks leading up to your exam to potentially qualify for better rates.
Answer all your questions honestly because the insurers will know if you’re not honest with them.
5. Compare Multiple Insurers:
Rate comparisons are crucial for marijuana users. Premiums can vary widely between insurers. Our free quoting tool simplifies this step, saving you time and effort.
Example: Joe, a medical marijuana user treating chronic pain, obtained quotes from three different insurers. While one offered smoker rates, another provided standard non-smoker premiums due to lenient policies for medical use. The savings were significant.
Why Choosing an Independent Agent Makes a Difference
Navigating the life insurance market as a marijuana user can feel confusing, but independent agents can make it simple for you. They’re not tied to a specific insurer, so their primary goal is to find you the lowest possible premiums.
They also stay updated on constantly evolving underwriting guidelines to ensure your options reflect the latest industry trends.
Working with an independent agent saves you time, provides clarity, and ensures you’re never overpaying for coverage based on outdated policies or unnecessary mistakes during the application process.
We specialize in helping marijuana users secure affordable, tailored made policies.
Need Assistance? We’re Here to Help!
Purchasing life insurance for marijuana smokers is not complicated. With honesty, preparation, and the right support, you can find a policy that protects your loved ones at very affordable rates.
Your family’s financial future is too important to leave to chance. Take control of the process today and secure the peace of mind that comes with tailored, affordable life insurance coverage. Call us at 708-334-6226 seven days a week.
All the best,
Jack Venturi
