Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry Announces Opposition to Proposition 203

September 24, 2010

Chamber cites concerns over workplace, employer burdens
 
PHOENIX – The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry today announced its opposition to Proposition 203, the Arizona Medical Marijuana Act.
 

The Chamber joins a growing list of groups and prominent individuals opposed to Proposition 203, including Sen. John McCain and Sen. Jon Kyl.

 
“After a lengthy analysis and conversations with employers from across the state, the Chamber board of directors voted to oppose the medical marijuana measure,” Chamber President and CEO Glenn Hamer said.  “We have some real concerns over how Proposition 203 could affect the workplace and the potential burdens it could place on employers.” 

 

Language in Proposition 203 makes it illegal for an employer to discipline an employee for testing positive for marijuana if that employee is enrolled in the state’s medical marijuana program, regardless of the level of marijuana in the employee’s system or whether the employee is using marijuana outside his or her physician’s instructions. 

 

The proposition does allow for employee discipline if that employee is impaired by marijuana, but a reading of the language in Proposition 203 places the burden for proving such impairment on the employer, yet most workplace drug tests do not determine whether the employee was impaired at the time of testing.

 

“This issue of impairment is a critical one for voters to consider,” Hamer said.  “The potential safety impacts on marijuana users’ co-workers, the customers they interact with or the general public cannot be overlooked.” 

 

The Chamber maintains a rigorous process for supporting or opposing ballot measures.  The Public Affairs Committee made a recommendation to the board of directors to oppose Proposition 203, which ultimately voted to accept the committee’s recommendation. Chamber rules require that ballot measures receive the support/opposition of 60 percent of the board for the Chamber to take an official position.
 
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The Arizona Chamber of Commerce and Industry is committed to advancing Arizona's competitive position in the global economy by advocating free-market policies that stimulate economic growth and prosperity for all Arizonans. 



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