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HB 1408

Employment Discrimination - Fire and Rescue Public Safety Employees - Use of Medical Cannabis

2025 Regular Session Introduced by Adrian Boafo

Maryland bill prohibits fire and rescue agencies from discriminating against employees using legal medical cannabis while protecting public safety standards and job performance requirements.

Hearing 2/25 at 1:00 p.m.
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Bill Summary · HB 1408

Legislative bill overview

HB 1408 would prohibit fire and rescue public safety agencies from discriminating against employees based on their use of medical cannabis, provided such use complies with state law and does not impair job performance. The bill aligns medical cannabis protections with Maryland's existing employment discrimination laws while maintaining safety standards for first responders.

Why is this important

As Maryland expands medical cannabis access, conflicts arise between employee medical rights and public safety concerns. This bill addresses whether first responders can use legal medical cannabis off-duty without employment consequences, a tension affecting recruitment and retention in fields with significant substance-abuse monitoring requirements.

Potential points of contention

  • Safety vs. rights balance: Fire and rescue roles involve life-or-death decisions and equipment operation; opponents worry about impairment risks even with off-duty use, while supporters argue blanket bans violate medical rights
  • Implementation challenges: Distinguishing between impairing use and non-impairing medical use is technically difficult; cannabis remains detectable weeks after use while impairment may be temporary
  • Federal law conflicts: Federal employers and agencies receiving federal funding face legal barriers to hiring cannabis users, potentially complicating local/state protections for multi-jurisdictional services

Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.

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