Washington (CNN) -- Political operatives are pushing pot legalization in several states this year in the hopes of sparking high turnout in this fall's midterm elections, and are looking ahead to 2016 as well. If voters approve a closely-watched ballot initiative in November, Florida could become the first Southern state to allow medical marijuana. And voters in Alaska and Oregon — two states that already allow medical marijuana and have decriminalized harsh sentencing for some recreational use — will likely vote on whether to join Colorado and Washington in allowing, taxing and regulating pot for recreational use. A look at marijuana laws in the U.S.
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Critical battleground state of Florida, and others, have pot legalization on fall ballots
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Advocates say marijuana legalization measures could help with youth voter turnout
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Opponents accuse legalization advocates of using the issue to influence elections
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Florida's medical marijuana vote this fall could prove a watershed moment
Majority in @placeholder say legalizing pot was good for state