Cannabis users can apply for insurance cover if they get behind the wheel

203
3
Cannabis users can apply for insurance cover if they get behind the wheel

People who are charged with driving under the influence of cannabis in Missouri can apply for insurance coverage through a Salt Lake City, Utah-based company called Reepher.

Justin Kahn, Reepher's co-founder and CEO, told FOX Business that the idea for the company stemmed from his experience with cannabis, which he has used to alleviate symptoms of an epileptic condition for over 20 years. Kahn was previously a real estate agent, natural disaster claims adjuster and founder and CEO of TruClinic, a telehealth software platform.

He said that I realized very early on in my career path that I would be doing so at my own risk if I was going to use cannabis to treat my medical condition. I was in a state in which cannabis was illegal, that I could lose my career, or get a DUI, the biggest risks being that I was in a state where I was in a state where it was illegal. Cannabis reform has alleviated some of the risks. The risk that remains is a cannabis DUI. According to Kahn, there is a major flaw with current testing methods for cannabis DUIs that are based on blood or urine testing for THC.

Kahn explains that THC stays in the body long after any impairment has faded because it is fat soluble. A regular cannabis user means that they will have THC in their blood and urine for weeks after they stop consuming, which means they will have THC in their blood and urine for at least once a day. A regular cannabis user is breaking the law every time they get behind the wheel, regardless of when they last consumed. If THC shows up in lab results, an individual is typically charged 60 to 90 days later with a DUI. Kahn argues that individuals can suffer financial loss and mental trauma before being charged with a crime.

Reepher will cover up to $15,000 in eligible expenses, such as legal representation, car towing or impoundment, alternative transportation, pre-trial costs, personal hardships, incidental expenses, and time spent for appearances in court.

In order to get coverage, consumers must sign up for Reepher membership in advance. The price for Reepher membership starts at $15 per month. If a member is arrested or charged with a cannabis DUI, they can file a claim that includes documentation of the event. Reepher provides members with an advance of $750 to assist with initial costs when a claim is approved. Other expenses, such as legal fees, will be reimbursed throughout the claim process.

Kahn said that Reepher will expand its cannabis DUI coverage to every state with a legal pathway to consumption, and that it will be approved by each state's department of insurance within the next two years.

He said that the product will continue to be sold to more states over the coming months, and that we plan to launch in Oregon and Georgia. We believe that if we prove that there is a market for this product, we will be able to create additional behavior-based insurance products that are parametric in nature, low cost, and niche specific. Reepher's website emphasizes that it does not encourage cannabis consumers to drive under the influence.