The Maryland Senate has approved legislation to protect fire and rescue workers from employment penalties for medical marijuana use, passing Senate Bill 1023 with a vote of 36 to 8.
Filed by Senator Carl Jackson (D), the bill prohibits employers from taking adverse actions against fire and rescue public safety employees who are certified medical marijuana patients.
SB 1023 safeguards firefighters, emergency medical technicians, paramedics, and other fire and rescue personnel from discrimination based on their legal medical marijuana use. The measure prevents employers from disciplining, discharging, or penalizing employees solely for possessing a valid medical marijuana certification or testing positive for marijuana components or metabolites. However, it does not permit employees to work while impaired or use marijuana within 12 hours of a work shift.
The legislation includes provisions to ensure compliance with federal regulations, allowing employers to avoid penalties related to federal funding or licensing. Having been approved by the full Senate, the measure now moves forward and, if signed into law, would take effect on October 1, 2025.
A companion bill, House Bill 1408, sponsored by Delegate Adrian Boafo (D), is currently under consideration in the House Economic Matters Committee.
