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Medical Marijuana Bills Go To Floor Of State House

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Patients might have to pay out of their own pockets for medical marijuana if lawmakers pass two bills in the state House.  

One bill would let insurance companies deny coverage of medical marijuana. The other would let employers to refuse to compensate workers for the treatment.

Republican state Senator Rick Jones is sponsoring the measures.

“What we’re trying to do is to make sure that the insurance company does not have to provide it, it is their option,” he says.

Opponents of the bills say the policy would keep some patients from receiving proper and legal medical treatment.

But some medical marijuana advocates support the measures. They say when Michigan voters approved the drug, they never meant to force insurers to cover it.

The state Senate voted overwhelmingly to pass the bills in May.

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Jake Neher is a reporter for the Michigan Public Radio Network. He covers the State Legislature and other political events in Lansing.