Judging from opponents and proponents of regulating marijuana like alcohol, voters can anticipate an intense, heated campaign leading up to a possible 2016 election.

Representatives of both sides of the issue informed the Public Policy Committee of the Chamber of Commerce about their positions at a Sept. 24 meeting.

They explained the potential impact on business, particularly about impairment on the job, workplace zero tolerance and workers’ compensation claims.

H.P. Holyoak, spokesman for Regulate Marijuana like Alcohol campaign, said the initiative would allow adults 21 and older to possess up to one ounce of marijuana, grow as many as six marijuana plants in their homes, and possess the marijuana produced by the plants.

Cities and towns would have the right to impose limits on where and when marijuana businesses could operate, said Holyoak.

Seth Leibsohn, chair of Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy, disputed the statement that a town or city could bar marijuana sales.

“Fountain Hills cannot ban a dispensary because it already has a medical dispensary,” said Leibsohn.

Holyoak said the initiative would not affect any employer’s existing policy ban against marijuana or change workplace restrictions on marijuana consumption by employees.

“All of the arguments against our initiative are based on the false premise that prohibition works. It didn’t work with alcohol and it certainly hasn’t worked with marijuana. It’s out there and readily acceptable to anyone who wants it.”

He told the committee that he could “pull out my cell phone and have marijuana delivered” within 30 minutes.

“It’s that easy,” he said.

Holyoak argued that regulating marijuana for adults 21 and older would take sales out of the hands of criminals and raise new sales tax revenue for the state. The initiative would create new businesses, jobs and commercial activity would be created.

A 15 percent sales tax, applied on top of the standard sales tax (9.9 percent tax in Fountain Hills) could generate $50 million, he said. Twenty percent of sales tax revenue would be appropriated for health care.

He also owns Arizona Natural Selections medical marijuana dispensary.

“It’s not a question of whether marijuana is good or bad. It’s already there. Would we rather have it taxed and regulated so we know who is selling it…with the tax receipts benefitting public education and health care or would we rather keep it illegal for the enrichment of criminal drug dealers? Those are really the only two options.”

The group is currently gathering signatures in hopes of placing the initiative on the ballot next year.

Opponents’ views

When youths are asked why they don’t use marijuana, Leibsohn said their answer is because it’s illegal.

He criticized the initiative allowing an adult to grow as many as six plants in their home. Six plants could yield 1,800 joints, he said.

“That’s a drug dealer’s dream.”

Jo McGuire of Colorado Springs, Colo., co-chair of the International Marijuana Education Committee, related her experiences in Colorado since marijuana was legalized in 2009.

She referred to workplace statistics indicating that there has been an increase of 55 percent more accidents, 82 percent more injuries, greater absenteeism and loss of productivity amount to more than $1 billion annually.

Recreational marijuana tax revenue failed to raise revenue levels as originally projected. McGuire said Colorado budgeted $164 million while only $30 million was raised.

Colorado is covering expenses out of its general fund for the first six years rather than producing the anticipated revenue.