New Jersey will soon allow government employees in selected communities to access medical cannabis benefits.

Starting in 2025, city employees in Trenton, as well as staff from the Orange and Teaneck boards of education, can sign up for discounts on cannabis products and tele-health consultations through a new benefit add-on called Bennabis Health.

First-of-Its-Kind Employee Benefit

This initiative marks the first time a U.S. employer outside the cannabis industry is offering medical cannabis as an employee benefit. “What is happening with Trenton is so profound that, to our knowledge, it is the first time in U.S. history,” Don Parisi, co-founder and president of Bennabis Health, told NJ.com’s Susan Livio and Jelani Gibson.

The program’s significance is a milestone both locally and nationally.

The collaboration involves multiple partners, including Aetna as the insurance carrier, Leafwell for telehealth services and Broadreach Medical Resources as the pharmacy benefits manager. The idea is to facilitate access to medical marijuana by making it as seamless as traditional healthcare services.

Read Also: Legal Medical Cannabis Could Save US Healthcare $29B Annually, New Study Finds

Addressing High Costs And Stigma

New Jersey patients have long faced high costs for medical cannabis, with prices ranging from $36 to $70 per eighth of an ounce.

Bennabis Health aims to alleviate this burden by offering at least a 15% discount to registered patients. Participating dispensaries include Camden Apothecary, The Cannabist, Elevated by the CannaBoss Lady, Holistic Solutions, URB’N, Valley Wellness and Yuma Way. More dispensaries may join in the future, though Bennabis intends to prioritize quality over quantity.

Trenton Mayor Reed Gusciora, a key proponent of the state’s medical marijuana law, praised the initiative.

“This forward-thinking plan not only makes treatment more accessible but also acknowledges the growing body of evidence supporting the benefits of medical marijuana,” Gusciora stated.

Get Benzinga’s exclusive analysis and top news about the cannabis industry and markets daily in your inbox for free. Subscribe to our newsletter here. If you’re serious about the business, you can’t afford to miss out.

Industry Implications

Bennabis Health already facilitates discounts for medical marijuana patients in several states, including Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts and New York.

CEO John Agos highlighted the company’s goal to expand its insurance model nationwide, aiming to integrate cannabis benefits into health plans across more states where medical marijuana is legal.

While cannabis remains a Schedule 1 drug, recent discussions about rescheduling could further open doors for broader acceptance.

Dr. June Chin, Leafwell’s chief medical officer, noted that the ongoing rescheduling debate is encouraging more medical professionals to reconsider their stance on cannabis.

“We are at an inflection point,” said Chin. “Even the discussion of rescheduling is opening up the minds of practitioners and patients alike.”

COVER: AI-generated image