AUSTIN - The latest polls show voters are poised to legalize marijuana in all five states with initiatives on the ballot this November. For marijuana advocates in Texas and elsewhere, the new year could begin with the wind strongly at their backs.

Medical marijuana advocates will descend on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

Medical marijuana advocates will descend on Capitol Hill Tuesday.

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indiana Legislature allowed a Senate committee to hear testimony on a medical marijuana-related bill, some proponents saw a glimmer of hope.

INDIANAPOLIS — When the Indiana Legislature allowed a Senate committee to hear testimony on a medical marijuana-related bill, some proponents saw a glimmer of hope.

But does the proposal go far enough?

But does the proposal go far enough?

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill expanding the use of medical marijuana has just been introduced in South Carolina, and on Tuesday supporters talked about why they are behind what's being called the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act.

COLUMBIA, S.C. - A bill expanding the use of medical marijuana has just been introduced in South Carolina, and on Tuesday supporters talked about why they are behind what's being called the South Carolina Compassionate Care Act.

Medical marijuana can be just what the doctor orders -- at least some doctors. Beginning Tuesday, Amendment 2 rolls out in Florida.

Medical marijuana can be just what the doctor orders -- at least some doctors. Beginning Tuesday, Amendment 2 rolls out in Florida.

BISMARCK — A Senate bill rewriting language of Measure 5 would institute $300 fees for applicants wanting medical marijuana cards and a $100,000 fee for certification of compassion centers that would manufacture and dispense the substance.

BISMARCK — A Senate bill rewriting language of Measure 5 would institute $300 fees for applicants wanting medical marijuana cards and a $100,000 fee for certification of compassion centers that would manufacture and dispense the substance.

LANSING — A fully developed legal market for medical marijuana in Michigan could lead to millions of dollars in new state tax revenue.

LANSING — A fully developed legal market for medical marijuana in Michigan could lead to millions of dollars in new state tax revenue.

ST. JOHNS, Mich. — Michigan's medical marijuana law trumps another law that restricts how users can transport pot in cars, the state appeals court said, reversing the misdemeanor conviction of a man in Clinton County.

ST. JOHNS, Mich. — Michigan's medical marijuana law trumps another law that restricts how users can transport pot in cars, the state appeals court said, reversing the misdemeanor conviction of a man in Clinton County.

A western Missouri representative filed a bill that would expand an existing law and allow terminally-ill patients to try medical marijuana in the state.

A western Missouri representative filed a bill that would expand an existing law and allow terminally-ill patients to try medical marijuana in the state.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missourians could be voting on a medical marijuana proposal in two years, if a Columbia marijuana reform advocate is successful.

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Missourians could be voting on a medical marijuana proposal in two years, if a Columbia marijuana reform advocate is successful.

SAN ANTONIO -- Call it a windfall for weed. Four states approved the recreational use of marijuana last week, and four others approved the medicinal use. And Texas could follow suit.

SAN ANTONIO -- Call it a windfall for weed. Four states approved the recreational use of marijuana last week, and four others approved the medicinal use. And Texas could follow suit.

Now that New Jersey has had a medical marijuana program in place for nearly seven years, shouldn't the state change the decades-old classification of marijuana as one of the most dangerous and reviled drugs, one without any medicinal benefit?

Now that New Jersey has had a medical marijuana program in place for nearly seven years, shouldn't the state change the decades-old classification of marijuana as one of the most dangerous and reviled drugs, one without any medicinal benefit?

The Medical Cannabis Act has made its way past the first hurdle of many on the road to becoming law in Nebraska.

The Medical Cannabis Act has made its way past the first hurdle of many on the road to becoming law in Nebraska.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

Gov. Chris Christie has long opposed legalizing recreational marijuana, recently calling the idea “beyond stupidity.’’ He won't be in charge soon.

Todd Provenzano started Medical Marijuana Patients Club of New Jersey in hopes to raise awareness and unify the voices who support the movement.

Vets would be able to sign up for the medical cannabis program without a medical diagnosis.

Vets would be able to sign up for the medical cannabis program without a medical diagnosis.

A new initiative seeking to legalize medical marijuana has been unveiled in the Iowa Senate, and the proposal will have its first test on Wednesday.

A new initiative seeking to legalize medical marijuana has been unveiled in the Iowa Senate, and the proposal will have its first test on Wednesday.

ALBANY — People using medical marijuana in New York may soon have more products to choose from and more options on where to buy them.

ALBANY — People using medical marijuana in New York may soon have more products to choose from and more options on where to buy them.

BISMARCK, N.D. - Measure 5, an effort to legalize medical marijuana has passed in North Dakota.

If passed, Measure 5 would allow people to possess up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of up to nearly a dozen medical conditions.

If passed, Measure 5 would allow people to possess up to 3 ounces of medical marijuana for treatment of up to nearly a dozen medical conditions.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A group pushing to legalize medical marijuana in North Dakota is making a last-minute advertising push thanks to a surprise donation from a national organization.

FARGO, N.D. (AP) — A group pushing to legalize medical marijuana in North Dakota is making a last-minute advertising push thanks to a surprise donation from a national organization.

MINOT -- A Republican Minot senator raised concerns about the price of medical marijuana at a town hall meeting over the weekend -- making note that he asked for a fee of only $25 to get an authorization card instead of the $200 fee proposed so far in the Senate bill.

MINOT -- A Republican Minot senator raised concerns about the price of medical marijuana at a town hall meeting over the weekend -- making note that he asked for a fee of only $25 to get an authorization card instead of the $200 fee proposed so far in the Senate bill.

Ohio medical marijuana regulators have proposed new rules for how businesses can sell cannabis to patients.

Ohio medical marijuana regulators have proposed new rules for how businesses can sell cannabis to patients.

Medical marijuana is already legal in 26 states. And three more could join the fold on Election Day as Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota are set to vote on medical marijuana ballot issues.

Medical marijuana is already legal in 26 states. And three more could join the fold on Election Day as Florida, Arkansas and North Dakota are set to vote on medical marijuana ballot issues.

NORTH STONINGTON — After discovering the benefits of medical marijuana for her patients suffering from chronic conditions, a local physician hopes to bring relief to patients who live in remote areas or cannot travel using telemedicine.

HARRISBURG – State officials plan to release draft rules for marijuana dispensaries today, as Pennsylvania remains on track to have its medical marijuana program up and running by 2018.

HARRISBURG – State officials plan to release draft rules for marijuana dispensaries today, as Pennsylvania remains on track to have its medical marijuana program up and running by 2018.