If you want to bring young voters to the polls, put pot on the ballot.  That’s the reasoning behind the “Just Say Now” campaign, which is working to increase turnout by young people in five states where marijuana legalization is on the ballot.

The New York Times says the group plans to spend $500,000 in Colorado, Arizona, California, Oregon and South Dakota this year.  In addition, the group will fight to get legalization measures on the ballot in battleground states like Nevada and Washington in 2012.

Jane Hamsher, the editor of Firedoglake, said legalizing marijuana is one of the most popular issues among voters age 18 to 34.

Supporters argue that regulating and taxing the drug just like alcohol will reduce crime at the border and could yield an additional $40 billion in revenue annually.

“That’s what’s fueling our border war,” said Ms. Hamsher, who says she does not use marijuana. “It’s not jobs. It’s marijuana.”

It’s not just liberals backing the effort.  The group includes some conservatives, libertarians and Tea Party activists.  They’re couching the issue as one of “states rights.”