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Panel weighs shielding firefighters from discipline for lawful off‑duty medical cannabis use
Summary
Supporters including state firefighter unions and family members urged HB 797 to protect fire and rescue personnel who lawfully use medical cannabis off duty while preserving employer authority to prohibit on‑duty impairment; opponents pressed concerns about impairment testing and volunteer-system impacts.
Delegate Adrianne Bawafo framed HB 797 as a limited employment-protection measure: "This bill simply allows fire and rescue public safety employees to use prescribed medical cannabis while off duty and protects them from retaliation for that lawful medical use," she said, adding that the bill does not permit on‑duty impairment.
Professional firefighter unions and chiefs gave the committee detailed support. Jeff Buttle of Professional Firefighters Maryland said the bill "provides…
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