How US hemp ban could criminalize CBD products – and derail Medicare plan

Pilot program to reimburse patients for hemp-derived products could be undermined by ban passed by Congress

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services recently started a new pilot to reimburse patients for hemp-derived products - like CBD - but a hemp ban that Congress passed in November could derail the program.

The new program will make certain Medicare and Medicaid recipients eligible for reimbursement for up to $500 worth of hemp products each year and is intended in part to evaluate whether these products could reduce their other health related costs.