Casino magnate Sheldon Adelson is doling out millions to keep US states from decriminalizing marijuana use just as one of his former high-rolling gamblers is extradited to Mexico to face drug-related charges.

There are five US states – Arizona, California, Maine, Massachusetts and Nevada – that have recreational marijuana referendums on November’s election ballot while four others – Arkansas, Florida, Montana and North Dakota – are considering regulating medical marijuana use.

Just as the Las Vegas Sands owner made it rain for anti-pot groups in the 2014 election cycle, Adelson (pictured, scowling) is cutting fat checks to keep fat blunts out of the hands of US adults. Adelson has given $2m to an anti-pot group in Nevada (his current home state), $1m to a similar group in Massachusetts (the state of his birth) and a further $1.5m in Florida (where he wants to build a casino).

Adelson’s anti-pot opposition extends to the rent-a-scribes at his recently acquired Las Vegas Review-Journal, whose editorial board now opposes the pro-marijuana measure it so wholeheartedly endorsed prior to Adelson taking the reins.