Casino Billionaire Sheldon Adelson Donates $500,000 to Fight Prop 205

Sheldon Adelson, founder and CEO of the Las Vegas Sands Corporation, has donated to several anti-marijuana legalization campaigns across the country. His latest donation of $500,000 went to Arizona’s anti-marijuana group, Arizonans for Responsible Drug Policy (ARDP), to fight Proposition 205.

Prior to his donation in Arizona, Adelson donated $2 million to the Protect Nevada’s Children PAC, and $1 million donation to Massachusetts and Florida anti-legalization campaigns, according to the Phoenix New Times. Controversy surrounding how Adelson has made his fortune and the anti-legalization campaigns claiming to have “children’s best interests” in mind has increased.

Yavapai County Attorney Sheila Polk leads ARDP. Governor Ducey also has a stake in the anti-legalization efforts in Arizona. ARDP reached out to Discount Tire and Bennett Dorrance of Campbell’s Soup for support; both donated $1 million. Co-founder of First Solar, Michael Ahern, donated $50,000 to ARDP.

Prop 205 received $450,000 in donations last week. $250,000 of which came from Scott Banister, a California entrepreneur and marijuana activist.

Photo: Bloomberg.com