What to know about Medicare’s new hemp pilot program that drug safety groups are challenging in court

Published March 31, 2026 3:30pm ET



Eligible medicare beneficiaries at participating healthcare providers will soon be able to purchase $500 worth of hemp-derived products annually for medical purposes.

Under a new Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services pilot program that begins on Wednesday, participating healthcare providers can offer their eligible patients hemp-derived CBD and THC products for symptom control with no out-of-pocket cost to the patient.

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