Howard County, Maryland Revises Firefighter Policy to Allow Off-Duty Medical Marijuana Use

Firefighters in Howard County, Maryland will no longer face disciplinary action for using medical marijuana during their off-duty hours under a newly revised county substance abuse policy. The change stems from a December agreement between county officials and IAFF Local 2000 and takes effect January 31. The new substance abuse policy states that firefighters who are registered medical marijuana patients must notify Human Resources of their status and are barred from using marijuana within 12 hours of reporting for duty. On-duty use and impairment remain prohibited.

In Howard County, union members spent nearly two years working with advocacy groups to secure the policy change, arguing that certified patients should be treated no differently than employees who rely on other prescribed medications.

“Over 86,000 Marylanders are currently registered with the state to access medical cannabis products,” NORML Deputy Director Paul Armentano said. “This includes firefighters, EMTs, and other first-responders, who typically consume medical cannabis to mitigate symptoms of chronic pain, post-traumatic stress, and other serious health conditions. Just as patients taking traditional medications do not face discrimination in the workplace unless their on-the-job performance is impaired, those who use medical cannabis during their off-hours should not face sanctions solely because of their status as a medical marijuana patient.”

Howard County, home to about 335,000 residents, is not alone in moving ahead without state action. Baltimore County, Frederick County, and Annapolis have each adopted local measures eliminating marijuana drug screening for most public employees, reflecting a gradual shift toward accommodating off-duty marijuana use at the local level.