Pictured: U.S. billionaire Sheldon Adelson speaks during a press conference for the opening of Parisian Macao in Macau, Tuesday, Sept. 13, 2016. (Kin Cheung, The Associated Press)

This billionaire just gave $2M to fight Nevada legalization

LAS VEGAS — Billionaire casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is putting $2 million into a fight against legalizing recreational marijuana in Nevada.

Financial disclosures due Tuesday showed the Las Vegas Sands casino owner is the biggest donor to the Protect Nevada’s Children PAC, which also received tens of thousands of dollars from MGM Resorts, the South Point casino and Boyd Gaming.

That group is fighting Question 2, a statewide ballot measure.

Two PACs supporting legalization raised $1.8 million in the past four months, which is close to opponents’ $2.1 million haul. Pro-Question 2 donations are mostly from the marijuana industry and a pot policy reform group.

Adelson’s wife founded clinics that treat drug addiction, and he is a major contributor to anti-marijuana efforts. He recently donated $1 million to oppose recreational marijuana in Massachusetts.

Last month, Adelson put $1 million toward the coffers of the political committee aiming to defeat Florida Amendment 2, a medical marijuana legalization proposal. Two years ago, he contributed $5.5. million to efforts to defeat a similar initiative.

The Cannabist Staff contributed to this report.