Maryland Official Says Police Recruiting Laws Too Strict on Past Cannabis Use – Ganjapreneur | How to order Skittles Moonrock online

Officials in Montgomery County, Maryland say that overly strict hiring rules regarding past cannabis use have made the recruitment process for local law enforcement positions too difficult, FOX5DC reports.

Montgomery County Executive Marc Elrich said in a recent press conference that while the county saw a 7% decrease in overall crime in 2024, officials are concerned about police staffing levels. “Currently, we have 166 sworn officer positions vacant and a wave of anticipated retirements facing us in 2025,” he said.

Elrich also noted some new hiring incentives including a pay bump and $20,000 signing bonus, and said the county hopes to address other “impediments” to the recruiting process, such as past cannabis use. Current regulations require potential recruits to have not used cannabis — or another controlled substance — for at least three years. In neighboring Washington DC, however, police recruits only need to abstain from cannabis use for three months before applying, the report said.

“Interestingly, past cannabis use is not a consideration in Virginia so officers who can’t work in Virginia go across the river to Fairfax County where they can work.” — Elrich, via FOX5DC

Maryland’s adult-use cannabis market launched on July 1, 2023, and state-licensed retailers sold just over $1.1 billion worth of cannabis products during the program’s first year.

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