good post kerry. regarding weed, the medical industry had no problem pushing opiates for a decade due to profits which even the VA pushed to injured soldiers. I do agree that flavors could be added to it to make it more addictive.... no different than candy/soda/beer/junk food.
Add in the fact that the fda banned various normal suppliments because the benefits didnt work with the medically approved profit system. Then add the federal gov due to the war on drugs, went after various pre-cursers which ended up making drugs more dangerous due to having to jump through toxic avenues.
both political sides profited from donations to vote either way regarding this topic.