Committee holds bill that would bar denying police and fire applicants solely for cannabis positives

The Government Operations and Fiscal Policy Committee voted to hold CB 16-2025, a bill that would prohibit Prince George’s County public-safety agencies from denying certification or selection for uniform police and fire/EMS positions solely on the basis of a positive preemployment cannabis (marijuana) screening.

Bill overview and administration concerns: Committee staff explained that the proposed amendment to Subtitle 2, Section 2-2 31.06 would add language stating that no applicant for a uniform position with the county police department or fire/EMS department shall be denied certification or selection solely for a positive preemployment cannabis screen. The administration, represented by County Executive liaison Sakenda Skinner, told the committee it has concerns about how the Maryland Police and Correctional Training Commission (state certification) interacts with county processes; the administration indicated productive conversations have occurred with the sponsor and department leaders and that the sponsor intended to hold the bill.

Timing and recruitment issues discussed: Staff and department representatives raised questions about the timing of drug screenings in recruitment workflows. Staff said drug screening often occurs near the end of the background process and that applicants are screened again during physical exams and question periods. Committee policy staff flagged recruitment and retention as a primary policy consideration: they shared department vacancy figures from the department's fiscal responses noting long-standing staffing shortages and said expanding eligibility could help recruitment.

Department statements and hiring process details: Captain David Coleman and Chief Green (Fire Department) described department practices: Coleman explained the department has time-limited rules on recent marijuana use and that applicants can reapply after the applicable period lapses; he said the department does not share applicant information with other agencies for the purpose of disqualification. Chief Green explained that the fire department’s application questions are limited to a specific time window and that the department uses that frame to determine suitability. Coleman emphasized that "we're screening for honesty over screening for marijuana use" and said deception on the application — not past use alone — often leads to disqualification.

Sponsor and next steps: Sponsor Council member Oriada said she sought the bill to remove barriers to young applicants now that marijuana use is legal in Maryland and expects to work with counsel and department leaders on technical and state-law limits. The administration indicated openness to continued discussions; the sponsor moved to hold the bill and the committee carried the motion to hold.

Outcome: The committee held CB 16-2025 to allow further consultation on how county hiring and state certification requirements interact and to consider timing, medical exemptions and re-application rules before any further action.