They attempted to control (and profit) through prohibition, once that became unfeasible they began to transition into the next method of control - a false "legalization" in which taxes are outrageous, over regulation forcing family owned / smaller business under so that outside umbrella corps swoop up licenses which are limited, all the while limiting/prohibiting home growing and processing. If it continues this way, you'll see a market filled with commercial genetics grown strictly for profit vs medicinal quality and purity, This striping the soul from the plant and tainting its purpose for mankind.
One quick example of this is proven in the moves to legalize recreational cannabis before hemp/cbd production.
Fashion over function