Pennsylvania Supreme Court Rules Workers' Compensation Must Cover CBD Treatment

Court Declares CBD Products Reimbursable Under Pennsylvania Workers' Compensation Law

Injured workers can now seek reimbursement for medically recommended CBD products — even if they’re not FDA-approved.

The Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled that CBD-infused oils, creams, and other related items fall under the “medicines and supplies” category in the state’s Workers’ Compensation Act.

That means if a healthcare provider includes CBD in your treatment plan, it’s eligible for reimbursement — no federal stamp of approval required.

The case involved a worker whose doctor had recommended CBD to help manage injury-related pain. The insurer refused to pay, arguing that non-prescription products aren’t covered. The court disagreed. Their message was clear: when a licensed medical provider recommends treatment, that treatment qualifies for compensation.

Stay up to date on workers’ rights with Lancaster Workers’ Compensation Attorneys at Rankin & Gregory, LLC (RG Injury Law).

Impact for Injured Workers: A New Path Toward Pain Relief and Recovery Support

This ruling legitimizes CBD as a therapeutic option in the eyes of Pennsylvania’s legal system.

This decision opens doors to safer alternatives for injured workers leery about opioids or prescription pills.

CBD has been widely used to reduce inflammation, ease muscle pain, and improve sleep — all common post-injury challenges. With legal recognition in hand, workers can now access these products without shouldering the cost alone.

This marks a profound development regarding patients options for treatment as well as the cost of recovery. CBD products, while not cheap, are often far less expensive than long-term prescriptions or invasive procedures. Plus, they don’t come with the same risk of dependency.

For many Pennsylvanians recovering from workplace injuries, this is the kind of practical change that makes a difference fast.

Pennsylvania Joins a Growing List of States Supporting Cannabis-Related Reimbursement

Pennsylvania now joins states like Connecticut, New Jersey, New Mexico, New Hampshire, and New York — all of which support reimbursement for medical cannabis or CBD products through workers’ compensation systems.

This ruling signals a broader shift toward modernizing the treatment of workplace injuries.

Courts and legislators are recognizing that plant-based therapies are a valid, often safer, form of treatment. As more states follow suit, the idea that recovery can involve something other than a pill bottle is gaining traction.

From a legal and policy standpoint, it’s a shift worth watching. As federal cannabis laws remain outdated, state rulings like Pennsylvania’s are filling the gap with practical decisions.

For workers and insurers, that means fewer denials, more treatment options, and fewer barriers to healing.

RG Injury Law Stands Ready to Help Injured Workers Claim CBD Reimbursement

If you’ve been injured at work and prescribed CBD as part of your recovery, you now have legal grounds to seek reimbursement — but that doesn’t mean the process will be simple.

At RG Injury Law, a Lancaster Workers' Comp Attorney, we help injured workers claim every benefit they’re legally owed, and that includes alternative treatments like CBD. If your employer’s insurer pushes back, we’ll step in and fight for the care your doctor recommended.

You shouldn’t have to pay out of pocket for effective, lawful treatment. If you’re unsure where to begin, give us a call. We’ll walk you through your options and help you move forward with confidence.

Contact Information:

Rankin & Gregory, LLC (RG Injury Law)

1476 Lititz Pike
Lancaster, PA 17601
United States

Public Relations
(717) 656-5000
https://www.rginjurylaw.com/