CBD treatments ‘should be available on US health insurance’

A campaigning doctor in the US has called on insurance companies to cover CBD treatments for patients.

Dr Sanjay Gupta, president of the American Pain Association (APA), said CBD could help with the USA’s opioid crisis by providing an alternative treatment widely considered not to be habit-forming or addictive.

“Given the choice between Oxycontin, Percocet and CBD, patients are more likely to choose the narcotics because they are covered by insurance companies and are affordable with co-pays or even free of charge,” Gupta said. “Insurance companies should be open to paying for patients who are willing to reduce opioid use by using CBD.”