Prop. 19 supporters confident of next time

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 8 (UPI) -- Supporters of California's defeated marijuana legalization initiative say they see the campaign as a trial run for a successful outcome in 2012.

Marijuana legalization advocates in California, undeterred by the defeat of Proposition 19, are already preparing for another go with a re-tooled, focused effort, the Los Angeles Times reported Sunday.

A campaign with a better message, a tighter measure and more money stands a good chance of success, advocates say.

"The question about legalizing marijuana is no longer when, it's no longer whether, it's how," said Ethan Nadelmann, executive director of the Drug Policy Alliance, a national advocacy group.

"There's a really strong body of people who will be ready to pull the lever in the future."

Proposition 19 was defeated 54 percent to 46 percent, but a post-election poll by survey organization Greenberg Quinlan Rosner found California voters favor legalization 49 percent to 41 percent, the Times reported.

Voters less than 25 years of age supported Proposition 19 by a 2-to-1 margin, but they did not turn out in big numbers to vote, supporters said.

But Anna Greenberg of Greenberg Quinlan Rosner said if young voters turn out in 2012 in numbers typical for presidential elections, legalization "is poised to win."