Cannabis usage and life insurance

I heard on the radio that FNB offered Life Insurance, so I went online to get more information.

Within minutes after logging out, I received a call from FNB Life. The gentleman was very eager to do a quote for me so I gave him the amount to quote me on. The premium came to X (the amounts are not important now), he said that the amount could possibly increase or decrease after the medical questions. I am in top health and could only think that it will decrease after the medical. So I agreed to do all the questions. As we went through the list where I rep**** NO to every single question, he asked me if I do any drugs. "Like marijuana, cocaine etc." he said. I was a little surprised that marijuana fell under the same drug category as cocaine, but continued nevertheless and answered that I smoke the occasional joint socially. He said that there was only 3 options to choose from: 4 times a month, 4 times a week or 4 times a day, (or something like that, I can not remember the exact wording used). I chose "4 times a month", as that was the least of the list. We finished the questionnaire and he informed me that the premium actually increased because of my drug use. I was blown away!

So with this questionnaire there was no question how much alcohol I consume, what if I drank a bottle of whiskey at night (not that I do). He did not ask me about my diet, which is mostly vegan, gluten-free. He did not ask me about my exercise routine (I run 4 kms at least 4 times a week). I was so surprised that I didn’t even ask by how much the premium increased with my said 'drug use', and terminated the call there and then.

So with this I have a message for FNB Life. Marijuana does not fall under the drug category. Please do your research properly. Please also tell me how many people have died or has been hospitalised due to marijuana use. Regardless of the amount they use per month, week or day.

I almost feel I need to move my banking business to a bank that is more “with” the times. I find it hard to support a business with these outdated views. Cannabis is NOT a drug FNB, it is actually a plant medicine. Alcohol usage, bad eating habits, no exercise, stress etc is far more harmful to your body then cannabis.