This “Bud” is For You. Former Anheuser-Busch CEO Says Legalize Marijuana

The former CEO of brewing giant Anheuser-Busch is now calling for marijuana to be made legal in Missouri.

Last week, Adolphus Busch IV, the last of the Busch family to control the St. Louis-based beer manufacturer responsible for popular brands like Budweiser, sent out a letter encouraging support a push to legalize a comprehensive medical marijuana program in 2018.

The letter, which was written as part of the New Approach Missouri campaign, urges citizens to back the move in the form of monetary donations and, just as importantly, signatures that will allow the issue to go before the voters in next year’s election.

Although New Approach Missouri and a few other groups have been pushing to legalize marijuana in some fashion in the Show-Me state for the past several years, there have been plenty of setbacks that have kept the concept from coming to fruition.

Just last year, a Missouri judge disqualified thousands of voter signatures, preventing the medical marijuana initiative from being included on the ballot in the presidential election.

Advocates of legal marijuana, including Mr. Busch, believe the state might have a fighting chance at combating the state’s opioid epidemic by allowing medical marijuana as an alternative treatment. In fact, Busch’s letter suggests that states with medical marijuana laws on the books have experienced a 25 percent decline in overdose deaths.

However, the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Abuse (NCADA) is disturbed by the idea of marijuana legalization being supported by a man who made millions through his involvement in the alcohol trade.

“One of the largest concerns is who it’s coming from. This is someone who benefitted from the profits of the alcohol industry,” Zellin said, adding that there is nothing “medical” about the legal marijuana proposal for which Busch is attempting to rally support.

A report from Fox News indicates that Mr. Busch has no commercial or economic interest involving marijuana that may have persuaded him top take a stand in favor of legalization.

Considering the snobbish attitude that sometimes accompanies the legal cannabis industry, Mr. Busch might not exactly be welcomed into the advocacy community with open arms.

Over the summer, Busch, who is the great-great-grandson of Adolphus Busch, founder of Anheuser-Busch, was reportedly busted by Missouri police for attempting to operate a helicopter under the influence of alcohol. At the time of his arrest, reports show that he was in possession of four loaded guns and a variety of prescription pills.

In 2010, a 27-year-old woman by the name of Adrienne Nicole Martin was found dead at Busch’s home. Reports indicate that her death was the result of an accidental overdose to oxycodone and cocaine.

Over three decades ago, Busch was involved in a motor vehicle accident that claimed the life of his female passenger. Although the details surrounding the incident are suspicious, no charges were ever filed.