Employee drug plans might soon cover cannabis. SunLife Financial is going to be the first Canadian health insurer to cover medical marijuana.

An advocacy group that says it’s a step in the right direction.

James O’Hara is the president and CEO of Canadians for Fair Access to Medical Marijuana (CFAMM). He says this is a proactive approach for a health unsurer to take.

“I think it’s something that’s a very, very positive step, and I think it will be widely adopted,” he says. “It’s a natural [next] step.”

While SunLife might be offering the cannabis coverage, companies will still need to opt to include it in their own benefits plans. And while some employers may not be keen on the idea of covering marijuana, O’Hara says tacking on a pot plan could actually benefit employers just as much as the employees.

“Often times what happens is the patients go onto medical cannabis, including CBD, and they often taper off of other medications that they’re on,” he explains.

“It’s very possible that an employer may in fact see a drop in usage in some of the other drugs. We don’t know for sure yet because it hasn’t been rolled out in a widespread fashion. But I wouldn’t be surprised at all if some of the other costs start to tumble.”

He says any employer taking advantage of the pot plan is ultimately contributing to a better life for it’s employees. “Not only does medical cannabis, including CBD, take care of symptoms employees are suffering, but quite often adds to their over all wellness.”

O’Hara also believes it will also help with afforabilty as people rely on benefits plans for their medication. “Since many employee drug plans do not cover medical cannabis at this point in time and employees are rally suffering from the financial side. We hear that every single day from patients.”

“[Coverage] would certainly put them in a much more advantagous position and it takes care of another problem, which often times results I considerable stress, and that’s the financial aspect of it all.”

O’Hara expects people would likely be able to claim standard, legal products like oils under a drug plan, although we don’t know quite yet what this new pot coverage plan will look like.

Meantime, the Cannabis Act is set to go for a third reading in the senate and a final vote on the matter is expected next month.