Business executives at DTE Energy Co., Meijer Co. and the Michigan Chamber of Commerce and Business Leaders for Michigan have waded into the debate over the legalization of marijuana for recreational purposes and are actively opposing Proposal 1 on the Nov. 6 ballot.

The Detroit-based utility and the state's largest business groups have joined a public opposition campaign against Proposal 1, which is making a late advertising push to urge voters to defeat the proposed law.

DTE Energy Chairman and CEO Gerry Anderson and company President Jerry Norcia donated $50,000 and $15,000, respectively, to the Healthy and Productive Michigan committee working to defeat the marijuana legalization initiative, according to a campaign finance report filed Friday.

Meijer Vice Chairman Mark Murray also donated $50,000 and Grand Rapids businessman J.C. Huizenga donated $51,000 to the anti-marijuana ballot committee, according to the report. Murray declined comment when reached by phone Friday.

On Monday, Novi-based power-transmission operator ITC Holdings Corp. made a $50,000 donation to the ballot committee, according to a report.

BLM's PAC donated $50,000 to the Healthy and Productive Michigan committee on Thursday, and Mark Stiers, president of DTE Gas, made a $2,500 donation Wednesday, according to late contribution reports.

An Alexandria, Va.-based nonprofit called Smart Approaches to Marijuana (SAM) Action has poured more than $1 million into the push to defeat the campaign to allow the commercial sale of marijuana to Michigan residents age 21 or older.

The late infusion of cash from the business interests helped the group get its television ad on cable TV starting Thursday night, said Scott Greenlee, president of the Healthy and Productive Michigan ballot committee.

"The support recently has been overwhelming," Greenlee said. "I'm very excited that a number of folks have gotten engaged."

The TV ad claims legalized marijuana would allow pot-infused edibles in candy, cookies and ice cream to contain "unlimited potency" that puts "the lives of our children and grandchildren at stake."

The ballot proposal specifically prohibits marijuana edibles "that are attractive to children or that are easily confused with commercially sold candy," according to the proposed law.

"This ad is typical of the hysteria, fear-mongering and flat-out lies that have been perpetuated by the opposition this entire campaign," said Josh Hovey, spokesman for the Coalition to Regulate Marijuana Like Alcohol. "Legalization shifts marijuana sales from the underground market to licensed and regulated businesses that check IDs and keeps in place the same harsh penalties in place today for selling to minors."

The biggest concern among leaders at the DTE Energy and the state's largest business groups centers around concerns of employees being stoned on the job.

"At DTE, the safety of our employees — and our customers — is our top priority, which is why we strictly prohibit the use of unauthorized drugs of any kind, including marijuana, by our employees," DTE spokesman Pete Ternes said.

State and federal laws require DTE to subject its employees to drug testing.

"We have no plans to change our company's current drug-free policy even if recreational marijuana is legalized in Michigan," Ternes said.

The Michigan Chamber of Commerce has joined DTE, BLM and other groups in opposing the legalization of cannabis for recreational purposes.

Local chambers of commerce in Alpena, Ferrysburg, Grand Haven, Grand Rapids, Hillman, Midland, Muskegon and Spring Lake also have come out in opposition to Proposal 1.

Chad Livengood: (313) 446-1654

Twitter: @ChadLivengood