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Casino Magnate Antes Up Millions In Anti-Pot Fight

TALLAHASSEE (CBSMiami/NSF) - A Las Vegas casino magnate has contributed another $1.5 million to a political committee fighting a proposed constitutional amendment that would legalize medical marijuana in Florida.

Coupled with an earlier $2.5 million contribution, Sheldon Adelson had contributed $4 million as of September 26th to the "Drug Free Florida Committee." His money made up the bulk of the $4,735,877 raised by the committee.

A newly filed campaign-finance report shows that the committee spent nearly $2.4 million from Sept. 13th to Sept. 26th, with most of the money going to advertising expenses.

Overall, the committee had spent $2,981,664.

Voters in November will decide whether to approve a constitutional change, which will appear on the ballot as Amendment 2, that would legalize medical marijuana for patients with many types of conditions.

The legalization effort is being spearheaded by Orlando attorney John Morgan.

The News Service of Florida contributed to this report.

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