If you use marijuana, whether recreationally or medicinally, you might assume life insurance is off the table or going to cost a fortune. That used to be true. But things are changing.

More insurers are adjusting their policies around cannabis use, recognising that occasional marijuana use isn’t the same as smoking a pack a day. The big shift? It’s not an automatic red flag anymore. You just need to know what affects your options, what to expect in the application process, and how to get the best rates.

The Short Answer: Yes, You Can Get It

Marijuana use doesn’t disqualify you from getting life insurance. Even better, it doesn’t always mean you’ll be stuck with sky-high premiums either.

The key factors are:

• How often you use it
• Why you use it (recreational or medical)
• Your overall health
• Whether or not you also use tobacco
• The insurance company’s specific stance

Some providers treat marijuana users just like non-smokers. Others lump you into the smoker category, which means higher premiums. And some sit somewhere in between.

So yes, affordable life insurance is possible—it just might take a bit more digging to find the right fit.

How Insurers Look at Marijuana Use

Not every insurer treats cannabis the same way. Some are strict, others more relaxed. That’s where shopping around matters.

Here’s what they typically want to know:

Frequency of Use

This one matters a lot.

• Occasional use (once a month or less) is usually seen as low risk
• Weekly or daily use might trigger higher rates
• Heavy use combined with other health issues? That’s where rates climb

Insurers may ask about the number of times per week or month, how long you’ve used it, and even method (smoking vs edibles).

Medical vs Recreational Use

If you’re using marijuana for medical reasons, you’ll likely need to provide documentation, such as a prescription or doctor’s note.

But keep in mind: why you’re using it matters. If it’s for chronic pain, anxiety, or another condition, insurers will look at that underlying health issue too, not just the cannabis use itself.

Recreational use is usually treated more like alcohol, i.e. fine in moderation, riskier in excess.

Tobacco Use

This is a big one. If you smoke marijuana and also smoke cigarettes or use nicotine products, you’re likely to be categorised as a smoker, full stop. That can mean double or even triple the premiums.

But if you only use marijuana and don’t smoke tobacco, some companies will give you non-smoker rates, especially if your cannabis use is occasional. This is why the best life insurance companies for marijuana use are usually the ones with updated policies that separate cannabis use from tobacco.

Will You Need to Take a Medical Exam?

It depends.

Some insurers still require a traditional medical exam, which includes blood and urine testing. THC can show up, especially if you’ve used marijuana recently. That doesn’t automatically disqualify you, but it will confirm usage, so it’s best to be upfront about it during the application.

Lying or omitting your cannabis use can hurt you more than the truth. If you’re caught being dishonest, you could be denied or your policy could be cancelled later.

There are also “no medical exam” life insurance options out there. These often come with higher premiums, but they can be worth it if you’d rather avoid the testing.

What Type of Policy Is Best?

You’ve got two main options: term life and whole life.

Term life is the most popular and affordable. It covers you for a set number of years (like 10, 20, or 30), and you can get a large amount of coverage at a lower monthly cost.

Whole life or permanent policies are more expensive, but they last your entire life and can build cash value over time.

If you’re just looking for simple, budget-friendly coverage and you’re a marijuana user in good health, term life is often your best bet.

Tips to Get Better Rates as a Marijuana User

Even with cannabis use, there are things you can do to help lower your life insurance premiums:

• Be honest – Lying about use can cause bigger problems later
• Improve your overall health – Keep blood pressure, cholesterol, and weight in a good range
• Avoid tobacco – This makes a huge difference in rates
• Cut down usage (if possible) – Using once a month or less can lead to better offers
• Work with a broker – Someone who knows which insurers are more cannabis-friendly

Not every insurer has caught up to changing attitudes around marijuana. A broker who understands this landscape can save you a lot of time, and possibly a lot of money.

What If You’ve Been Declined Before?

If you applied for life insurance in the past and got rejected or hit with sky-high premiums because of marijuana use, don’t assume that’s how it has to be now.

Many companies have updated their underwriting guidelines. Even if you were quoted high rates a year or two ago, it’s worth revisiting. You might get a very different answer today.

Also, each insurer evaluates risk in its own way. Being turned down by one doesn’t mean you’ll be turned down by all. In fact, that happens more often than you’d think.

You’ve Got Options

Using marijuana doesn’t mean you’re shut out from life insurance. Far from it. Whether you light up once in a while or have a medical prescription, affordable coverage is still possible.

You just need to approach it strategically:

• Know your usage habits
• Understand how they affect your risk profile
• Be honest on your application
• Compare offers from different insurers

And remember—things are changing quickly in this space. What wasn’t possible a few years ago might be completely doable today.