The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could help millions of Americans gain access to medical cannabis, according to a new study published in the journal Health Affairs. The study found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a 51% increase in the likelihood of a state having a legal medical cannabis program. The ACA has already expanded Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income adults, and the study suggests that this expansion could further drive the growth of the medical cannabis industry. “Medicaid Expansion Could Help Millions Access Medical Cannabis” by Marijuana Moment (November 29, 2023):

Key Points

• The expansion of Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) could significantly increase access to medical cannabis for millions of Americans.
• A new study published in the journal Health Affairs found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a 51% increase in the likelihood of a state having a legal medical cannabis program.
• The ACA has already expanded Medicaid coverage to millions of low-income adults, and the study suggests that this expansion could further drive the growth of the medical cannabis industry.

Implications

• The findings of the study suggest that Medicaid expansion could play a key role in expanding access to medical cannabis for low-income individuals, who are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions that could benefit from cannabis treatment.
• The study’s findings could also encourage additional states to legalize medical cannabis, as they may see the potential for increased Medicaid revenue and improved health outcomes for their residents.
• The expansion of Medicaid could also help to reduce the financial burden of medical cannabis for patients, as Medicaid would cover the cost of treatment for eligible individuals.

Overall, the study provides valuable evidence of the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion for increasing access to medical cannabis and improving health outcomes for low-income individuals

The study, published in the journal Health Affairs, found that Medicaid expansion was associated with a 51% increase in the likelihood of a state having a legal medical cannabis program. The study’s authors used data from all 50 states and the District of Columbia to examine the relationship between Medicaid expansion and medical cannabis legalization. They found that states that expanded Medicaid were more likely to have legalized medical cannabis, even after controlling for other factors such as state political ideology and public opinion on cannabis.

The study’s findings suggest that Medicaid expansion could play a key role in expanding access to medical cannabis for low-income individuals, who are disproportionately affected by chronic conditions that could benefit from cannabis treatment. The study’s findings could also encourage additional states to legalize medical cannabis, as they may see the potential for increased Medicaid revenue and improved health outcomes for their residents.

The expansion of Medicaid could also help to reduce the financial burden of medical cannabis for patients, as Medicaid would cover the cost of treatment for eligible individuals. Overall, the study provides valuable evidence of the potential benefits of Medicaid expansion for increasing access to medical cannabis and improving health outcomes for low-income individuals.

Here are the links for the information provided:

1. [Medicaid Expansion Could Help Millions Access Medical Cannabis]
2. [Health Affairs study on Medicaid expansion and medical cannabis]
3. [Article on Marijuana Moment about the study]
4. Medicaid Expansion led to increased access to preventive care for low-income adults (news-medical.net)