Maryland lawmakers to again consider cannabis-related accident bill

A carryover from the 2021 legislative season, Maryland lawmakers are again proposing a bill that would remove a worker’s eligibility for workers compensation for injuries or illnesses solely caused by the effects of improper usage of medical marijuana.

Slated to be introduced Monday, H.B. 614 is described as being the same as H.B. 683, which was filed in March 2021 and withdrawn.

A draft of the new legislation was not immediately available Monday. Last year’s bill stated that a covered employee or dependent of the employee would not be entitled to workers compensation or benefits if the accidentally personal injury, compensable hernia or occupational disease was caused solely by the effect of medical marijuana as a result of the worker failing to take the marijuana in accordance with the written certification of a certifying provider or physician.