Sheldon Adelson Hates Marijuana and Online Gambling

Las Vegas Sands owner Sheldon Adelson has never been above putting millions behind his political and economic beliefs. A staunch online gambling opponent, Adelson is also funding a campaign to stop marijuana legalization efforts.

5 states will be voting on marijuana legalization next month, including Nevada, where Adelson’s headquarters are based. If all five states were to legalize weed, it would set the stage for marijuana reforms heading into the next presidential istration.

According to the Washington Post, businesses and interest groups have spent $40 million in 2016 to either or oppose marijuana ahead of November ballots.

Most of this money – $29 million – has went to the pro-legalization side. California has especially spent big, with $20 million going towards pro-marijuana efforts.

Adelson, meanwhile, has been a large part of the opposition, shelling out $3.5 million to help stop marijuana in three states. This represents one-third of all anti-weed spending, which makes Adelson by far the largest contributor.

He’s in direct opposition to other wealthy people like Napster founder/Facebook investor Sean Parker, who’s spent millions on bringing legal marijuana to California. Billionaire philanthropist George Soros has also contributed with $4 million towards California’s pro-marijuana efforts.

The big question surrounding Adelson is why he would pay so much money towards stopping legal weed, given that he’s in the casino industry.

Mason Tvert, the communications director for Marijuana Policy Project, believes that Adelson’s efforts are completely related to business.

“If you like drinking alcohol and playing blackjack at the casino, Mr. Adelson wants you to be his guest,” wrote Tvert. “If you prefer to consume marijuana while playing video games in the privacy of your home, Mr. Adelson wants you to be in jail.”

Others believe that the matter is personal for Adelson, who had one son die of a drug overdose and another son who was addicted to drugs for years.

Sunshine State News also has a take on Adelson’s anti-marijuana stance, and it’s not about personal interests. Here’s an excerpt on what they think is the real reason behind Adelson’s campaign:

My take on what’s going on with Adelson can be summed up in two words: Mel Sembler.

Sembler, the GOP fundraiser, St. Petersburg anti-drug crusader, ambassador to Italy who couldn’t speak a word of Italian — and, oh, yes, the founder of drug-rehab-program-from-hell STRAIGHT Inc. — is one of Adelson’s oldest friends.

I’ve written a couple of times about STRAIGHT Inc. and its prisoner-of-war-style torture, unrelenting cover-ups and subsequent suicides. But Sembler has always defended the program, the tactics and the need to deal harshly with teens using — even suspected of using — drugs. My guess is,it was Sembler who went to work hustling money out of Adelson to oppose Amendment 2, and Adelson capitulated.

Think about it. Adelson has spent hundreds of millions of dollars on marijuana research to get a single breakthrough on multiple sclerosis. His institute has been cautious. He’s going the Food and Drug istration route. Now, all of a sudden, he’s shown a loosely written ballot amendment, penned and backed by a rich and powerful Democratic lawyer (John Morgan) trying to buy a governor (Charlie Crist) in the process — plus maybe work out some extra goodies for himself.

If true, it wouldn’t be the first time that Adelson has heavily funded campaigns for business purposes.

He’s been criticized for backing politicians who his ban on internet gambling. Adelson claims he doesn’t want to see people addicted, but many say that he’s only worried about online gambling affecting his casino empire.