​The latest poll on California’s Proposition 19, which would legalize adult marijuana recreational marijuana use and allow local governments to regulate and tax sales, shows the ballot initiative ahead with 52 percent supporting it and 41 percent against it.

The poll [ PDF ], released late Wednesday by the Public Policy Institute of California, shows strong majorities of independent (65 percent), Democratic (63 percent), and Latino (63 percent) likely voters support Prop 19 when read the full ballot title and label, as do those ages 18 to 34 (70 percent). Those 35 and older are divided on the measure.

A strong majority of Republicans oppose Prop 19. Half (50 percent) of whites said they would vote yes on the initiative.

About half of voters (49 percent) say the outcome of the Prop 19 vote is very important, with those opposed to the initiative feeling stronger about the outcome. Of those who say they plan to vote no on Prop 19, 65 percent say the outcome is very important, compared to 42 percent of those who plan to vote yes.

Overall, half of likely voters think the outcome of Prop 19 is very important, and three in 10 see it as somewhat important. Republicans are the most likely to say the outcome is very important, while independents are the least likely.

At least half in the San Francisco Bay area and Los Angeles support legalization, while a majority in the Central Valley do not.

Asked a generic question about support for marijuana legalization, 51 percent of likely votes are in favor while 45 percent oppose.