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TORONTO — Sun Life Financial Inc. is adding medical marijuana as an option for its group benefits plans, marking an industry shift and the latest sign of growing public acceptance of cannabis.

The Toronto-based insurer’s chief executive Dean Connor said the move was influenced by rising interest from Sun Life’s employer clients.

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“Medical marijuana has become a very important part of their treatment program and pain management program,” said Connor, referencing patients who have cancer, multiple sclerosis, rheumatoid arthritis, or those requiring palliative care.

Sun Life provides health benefits coverage to more than three million Canadians and their families, or one in six Canadians. This comes as the country moves to legalize cannabis for recreational use later this year and as the number of registered medical marijuana patients grows.