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

Medical cannabis job protections for rescue workers

Beginning October 1, 2026, Maryland protects covered firefighters, emergency medical technicians, cardiac rescue technicians, and paramedics with valid medical cannabis certifications. Covered employers include municipalities, counties, the State, the State Airport Authority, and fire control districts. Employers cannot fire, discipline, cut pay, or otherwise discriminate solely because workers hold a valid certification. The same protection applies to positive cannabis tests while workers hold that certification. Employers may still ban on-duty cannabis use and impaired work, and discipline workers for impairment or safety violations. Employers must report workers who arrive impaired by cannabis to the State Emergency Medical Services Board. The law does not require employers to break federal law or regulations, or lose federal money or licensing benefits.