The Maryland state Senate has approved a measure aimed at protecting rescue and fire workers from being penalized for using medical cannabis while off duty. The legislation, introduced by Senator Carl Jackson, passed with a 36-8 vote and now moves to the House of Representatives, where a parallel measure has been introduced but has yet to progress.
If enacted, the bill would amend state law to ensure that firefighters and other rescue personnel registered as medical cannabis patients are not penalized for their legal use of the substance or for testing positive for marijuana. Employers would be prohibited from disciplining, terminating, or discriminating against these employees based solely on a positive test result for THC metabolites.
Additionally, the bill specifies that employers cannot restrict or classify employees in a manner that would limit job opportunities or negatively impact their employment status. However, organizations would still be allowed to enforce zero-tolerance rules regarding on-duty intoxication from cannabis use.
Paul Armentano, the deputy director of NORML, praised the bill’s advancement, noting that the group has worked with rescuers and firefighters to advocate for these safeguards. He pointed out that other states and local governments have already implemented similar measures and argued that Maryland should follow suit. According to Armentano, no employee should face discrimination for using medical marijuana as prescribed by a doctor.
The measure was approved by the Senate Finance Committee with a few amendments last week.
Initially, the proposal included a clause allowing employers to ban cannabis use within 12 hours of a shift. However, concerns over enforcing this restriction led to the removal of the specific time frame. The amended text also makes it clear that businesses can forbid employees from using marijuana for recreational or medical purposes while they are on the clock.
During a previous hearing, Sen. Jackson underscored the importance of the legislation, stating that rescue and fire personnel risk their lives daily to protect the public. He argued that these workers should have access to physician-recommended medical treatments, including cannabis, without fear of workplace consequences.
The companion bill in the House is currently under review by the Economic Matters Committee.
The measure’s development follows a recent move in Maryland’s largest county to ease cannabis restrictions for prospective police officers. Officials hope that loosening these policies will help address recruitment challenges in light of staffing constraints.
The bill protecting the rights of rescue workers and fighters who wish to use medical cannabis is also bound to elicit applause from the broader marijuana industry, including leading enterprises like SNDL Inc. (NASDAQ: SNDL). This is because the law eases a restriction that has been denying a section of the population that could benefit from the therapeutic use of marijuana.
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