GRAND RAPIDS, MI - The Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce has come out against statewide ballot proposals that would legalize marijuana and upend the state legislature's control over redistricting.

Both proposals are headed for the November ballot as a result of voter petition drives. One proposal would change state law to legalize recreational use of marijuana while the other would amend the state constitution to reverse gerrymandering.

"After hearing from both sides on these proposals, it is clear to our members and the board that both ballot proposals would be a step back for Michigan," said Rick Baker, the chamber's president and CEO in a statement released on Monday, March 26.

"As a state and region, we need to remain focused on the priorities that are critical to West Michigan's growth such as addressing the talent gap, sound fiscal policy and quality infrastructure," Baker said. "These proposals take us in the wrong direction."

On the marijuana proposal, chamber officials said they are worried about the impact on the area's workforce at a time when labor is in short supply.

"The chamber is concerned over the negative impacts this proposal would have on the economy, talent, public health, and the fact that marijuana is still illegal under federal law," said Vice President of Government Affairs Andy Johnston.

"This proposal would create a host of new workplace issues for employers," Johnston said. Unlike alcohol, there is no reliable onsite impairment test for marijuana, he said.

"At a time when job providers are struggling to find qualified applicants and talent is the top business issue, we have significant concerns on how passage of this proposal would impact the workforce."

If marijuana is legalized, local communities also will have to develop local laws to regulate the cultivation, processing, testing and sale of marijuana, Johnston said.

On the constitutional amendment to change redistricting, Johnston said they didn't like the language that sets up a 13-member bi-partisan commission to re-set political boundaries.

The proposed language would shift the decision-making process from the state legislature and governor's office to the 13-member commission, which would consist of five independent members, four self-declared Democrats and four self-declared Republicans.

Despite recent criticisms, Johnston argued Michigan's current system, created in 1982, has worked well for both Democrats and Republicans. Other states with independent commissions, such as Arizona and California, still have district boundaries that do not pass the "smell test," Johnston said.

"The chamber sets a high bar for supporting any proposal to amend Michigan's constitution and the redistricting amendment fails to meet this test," said Johnston. "This proposal is flawed and unworthy of being enshrined in the State Constitution."

"Our concerns centered on how the proposed commission would operate, the altered and vague requirements on how districts are created and restrictions on necessary judicial safeguards for legislative maps," Johnston said.

Katie Fahey, executive director of Voters Not Politicians, which created the ballot proposal, said her group was disappointed by the chamber's stance.

"We are disappointed that the Grand Rapids Chamber has decided to support our broken system of redistricting, where lobbyists and politicians operating behind closed doors pick their voters to maintain their power," Fahey said.

"Michigan's businesses - and all citizens - will benefit from an Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission that operates in public to provide a redistricting process that is fair, impartial and transparent."

Petition signatures for both proposals are under review by the Michigan Secretary of State.