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

SB 1023 prohibits employers from taking discriminatory actions (like termination or denial of employment) against fire and rescue public safety employees who use medical cannabis, provided they have a valid certification from a licensed healthcare provider. The bill amends Maryland law to clarify that medical cannabis use, when certified by a qualifying provider under state medical cannabis regulations, is protected under disability discrimination laws. It specifically applies to fire and rescue employees (not all public safety workers) and requires that their use complies with the state’s medical cannabis program. The law does not permit cannabis use on duty but prevents employment discrimination based on off-duty medical cannabis use.