Cannabis use and life insurance
Insurers do ask about cannabis use, and being honest about it is essential. This guide explains exactly how UK insurers treat cannabis - both recreational and medical - without judgment. The facts are straightforward: most people who use cannabis can get life insurance, and the single biggest risk is not telling the truth.
The short answer
Most insurers will cover cannabis users. Some apply smoker rates, some are more lenient. Frequency matters: occasional use (a few times a year) is treated very differently from regular use (weekly or more). Medical cannabis is treated similarly. Non-disclosure is the real danger - a voided policy pays nothing. A policy at smoker rates that pays out is infinitely better than one that is void because you did not disclose cannabis use. Always tell the truth.
What insurers actually ask about cannabis
Most life insurance application forms include questions about drug use. The specific wording varies between insurers, but they typically ask:
Do you use or have you ever used recreational drugs?
This is a broad question that covers cannabis along with all other recreational substances. Cannabis is the most commonly disclosed substance, and insurers are well accustomed to handling it.
How frequently do you use cannabis?
Frequency is the most important factor. Insurers typically distinguish between occasional use (a few times a year), regular use (monthly), and heavy use (weekly or daily). The more frequently you use, the greater the potential impact on premiums.
How do you consume cannabis?
Smoking cannabis (whether mixed with tobacco or not) may result in smoker rates being applied. Edibles, oils, or vaping cannabis may be treated slightly differently by some insurers, though this is not universal.
Have you ever been treated for drug dependency?
A history of cannabis dependency or treatment for substance abuse is viewed more seriously than recreational use. This is assessed separately from casual use.
How insurers treat cannabis use
There is no single industry-standard approach to cannabis. Different insurers take different positions, and this is where insurer selection becomes critical.
Occasional recreational use (a few times a year)
Some insurers will offer standard or near-standard rates for very occasional cannabis use. Others will apply smoker rates regardless of frequency. The key is that occasional use is viewed far more favourably than regular use. If you use cannabis a handful of times per year at social events, your options are wider than you might expect.
Regular recreational use (monthly to weekly)
Regular cannabis use will typically result in smoker rates being applied by most insurers. Some insurers may also add an additional loading on top of smoker rates for regular drug use. Cover is still available from multiple insurers, but premiums will be higher. If you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you will almost certainly pay smoker rates.
Heavy use (daily or near-daily)
Daily cannabis use narrows your options more significantly. Most insurers will apply smoker rates at minimum, and some may apply additional loadings or decline. However, cover is still available. A specialist broker can identify which insurers are most favourable for heavy cannabis use.
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Our partner brokers speak to people about cannabis use every week. No judgment. They'll match your situation with the insurer that offers the best terms.
Get QuoteMedical cannabis (prescribed)
Medical cannabis has been legal in the UK on prescription since November 2018. If you have been prescribed cannabis by a specialist for a condition such as chronic pain, epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, or chemotherapy-related nausea, insurers will take this into account.
In practice, medical cannabis is treated similarly to recreational cannabis by most insurers. The underlying condition for which it is prescribed is assessed in its own right (and may itself affect underwriting), and the cannabis use may result in smoker rates or a loading on top.
Some insurers are more understanding of prescribed medical cannabis than recreational use, but this is not universal. The market is still developing its approach to medical cannabis, and a broker who stays current with insurer positions can navigate this effectively.
Does the method of consumption matter?
How you consume cannabis can affect how insurers assess you:
| Method | Typical insurer approach |
|---|---|
| Smoking (with tobacco) | Smoker rates almost certain. Combines tobacco and cannabis risk. |
| Smoking (pure, no tobacco) | Smoker rates from most insurers due to inhalation risk. Some may differentiate. |
| Vaping cannabis | Treated similarly to smoking by most insurers. A small number may be more lenient. |
| Edibles | No inhalation risk. Some insurers may avoid applying smoker rates if consumption is via edibles only. Not universal. |
| CBD oil (no THC) | CBD products containing no THC are not considered cannabis use by insurers and should not affect your application. |
Why non-disclosure is the real risk
The biggest risk with cannabis and life insurance is not the cannabis itself - it is the temptation to not disclose it. This is a serious mistake that can have devastating consequences for your family.
At claim stage, insurers investigate. When a life insurance claim is made, particularly for a large sum, the insurer will typically request your GP records. These records often contain notes about drug use - whether you mentioned it to your GP, whether it appeared in blood tests, or whether it was noted during consultations. If cannabis use was not disclosed on your application but appears in your medical records, the insurer can void the entire policy for non-disclosure.
A voided policy pays nothing. Not a reduced amount. Nothing. Your family is left with no payout and no cover. The premiums you paid are gone. This is a far worse outcome than paying slightly higher premiums for honest disclosure.
Toxicology at post-mortem. In many cases of unexpected death, a post-mortem is conducted which includes toxicology screening. Cannabis metabolites can be detected for weeks after use. This provides further evidence that can be used to deny a claim.
The honest answer
Tell the truth. Always. A policy that pays out at smoker rates is better than one that is void because you lied about cannabis use. Most people who use cannabis can get life insurance. The premiums may be higher, but the cover is real and it will pay out when your family needs it. Non-disclosure is gambling with your family's financial security. It is not worth it. Be honest with your broker, be honest on the application, and get a policy that actually works.
Criminal record implications
Cannabis remains illegal for recreational use in the UK. If your cannabis use has resulted in a criminal conviction (possession, supply, or cultivation), this adds an additional layer to your insurance application.
A spent conviction for simple possession (under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974) generally does not need to be disclosed on most insurance applications, as most insurers ask only about unspent convictions. However, a conviction for supply or cultivation, or any unspent drug-related conviction, must be disclosed and will affect your underwriting.
The cannabis use itself is typically a bigger factor than a minor possession conviction. The criminal record aspect is covered in more detail in our dedicated guide.
Read our full guide to criminal convictions and life insurance
Cannabis and smoking status
If you smoke cannabis mixed with tobacco, you are almost certainly going to be classified as a smoker for both the tobacco and cannabis content. If you use cannabis via edibles or oils and do not use any tobacco or nicotine, there is a chance some insurers may not apply full smoker rates - though this varies.
For a full explanation of how nicotine and smoking affect life insurance, including the 12-month rule for non-smoker classification:
Read our full guide to smokers and vapers
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Our partner brokers help cannabis users get life insurance every week. Tell us your situation honestly and they'll find the right insurer.
Get QuoteCritical illness and income protection
Cannabis use affects critical illness cover and income protection in a similar way to life insurance. Smoker rates or a loading may be applied. Some insurers may add a drug-related exclusion to income protection policies (meaning claims related to drug use would not be covered), though this is not standard practice for cannabis use alone.
If you are a heavy cannabis user, income protection underwriting may be more cautious than life insurance underwriting, as substance use can contribute to time off work.
Put your policy in trust
Regardless of your cannabis use, every life insurance policy should be written in trust. This ensures the payout goes directly to your beneficiaries without entering your estate, avoiding potential 40% inheritance tax and months of probate delays. It is free and takes 2 minutes. Our partner brokers set this up on every policy they arrange.
Read our full guide to trusts and estate planning
Frequently asked questions
Do insurers test for cannabis?
For standard cover amounts, insurers typically rely on your self-declaration. For higher cover amounts (often above 300,000-500,000), insurers may request a medical examination that includes blood or urine tests. These tests can detect cannabis metabolites for several weeks after use. If the test contradicts your declaration, the insurer will reassess your application.
I used cannabis years ago but stopped. Do I need to declare it?
Most application forms ask about drug use in the last 5-10 years, or sometimes ask if you have 'ever' used drugs. Read the question carefully and answer honestly based on its wording. If your cannabis use was more than 10 years ago and the question asks about the last 5 years, you may not need to disclose it. If in doubt, disclose it - historical use that has stopped is viewed very favourably.
Will I definitely pay smoker rates if I use cannabis?
Not necessarily. It depends on the insurer, the frequency of use, and the method of consumption. Some insurers apply smoker rates to all cannabis users. Others only apply smoker rates if you smoke cannabis (with or without tobacco) but may offer better rates if you consume via edibles. A broker can identify the most favourable insurer for your situation.
Can I get life insurance for a mortgage if I use cannabis?
Yes. Cannabis use does not prevent you from getting mortgage-linked life insurance. Your premiums may be higher if smoker rates are applied, but the cover functions identically. Your lender does not see the details of your medical underwriting.
Does CBD oil count as cannabis use?
No. CBD oil that contains no THC (or only trace amounts within the legal UK limit of 0.2% THC) is not considered cannabis use or drug use by insurers. You do not need to disclose CBD oil use on a life insurance application. However, be aware that some CBD products on the market have been found to contain higher THC levels than labelled.
My GP does not know about my cannabis use. Can the insurer find out?
If your GP records do not mention cannabis and you are not tested, the insurer relies on your self-declaration. However, lying on your application is non-disclosure regardless of what your GP records show. If cannabis use comes to light at claim stage through any means (toxicology, social media, witness statements), the insurer can void the policy. The risk is not worth it.
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