Chamber board votes against relaxing marijuana regulations

During the February 10, 2016 board meeting, the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce, Board of Directors unanimously voted to not support the bill proposed by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol.

With other states in the United States slowly relaxing the use of marijuana making it legal for recreational use for its citizens as well as with businesses supplying the growing demand of dispensary supplies despite it’s growing impact the Fountain Hills Chamber of Commerce is not in support of the initiative promoted by the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol for the following reasons:

• Increased burden on police, fire and medical personnel within Fountain Hills to assist with irresponsible use.
• Concerns that legalizing a small amount of marijuana will lead to increased amounts over time.
• Increased burden on employers to provide additional drug testing and/or random drug testing or high risk jobs such as machinery operators, pilots, drivers and many other professions.

The bottom line for the Board is, “We believe there is no benefit for business” from this type of action.