Arizona Public Service, one of the state’s major employers, is defending its contribution to an anti-marijuana legalization group.
The electric utility’s parent company recently donated $10,000 to Arizonans For Responsible Drug Policy. It’s a political committee vice-chaired by Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk and opposed to the initiative seeking to legalize recreational marijuana.
Jim McDonald with APS says the company is concerned about the employment law language in the ballot proposal "especially considering the public safety aspects involved in providing reliable electric service to APS customers."
McDonald said no customer money was involved in this political contribution, but rather "shareholder funds."
Ballot language for the Campaign to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol, reads “[it] does not affect the ability of employers to enact and enforce workplace policies restricting the consumption of marijuana and marijuana products by employees.”
A spokesperson for the initiative said they plan to turn in verification signatures to the secretary of state soon.
