‘Let’s Do It Legit’: Drug Arrestees Vie for First New York Pot Licenses [nytimes.com]

Other than to pander to big pharma, which logically loves THC-consumption legal obstacles just fine, there is no good reason — morally, ethically or national interest — to maintain THC consumption's criminal status. ... Cannabis products are known to be a healthier alternative to tranquilizer use/abuse and therefor a potential threat to pharmaceutical industry profits.

I remember a then-president Bill Clinton deciding against fully legalizing federally cannabis consumption after having championed it (or, at the very least, its decriminalization) prior to his election. 

Even worse, as president he greatly ramped up the 'war on drugs' — including against personal users, which needlessly unjustly destroyed lives — at the very same time he made it easier for bankers to become richer. And yet he probably slept/sleeps well at night, regardless.