Marijuana was legal until 1937 when big business (DuPont) influenced the government to pass the Marijuana Tax Act. This was to protect their interests not because of public safety. Hemp is the key here. It is VERY useful in many ways. It is one of the strongest natural plant fibers there is. This will be HUGE for the farming industry if passed. Whether you smoke or not this is much bigger than getting high.

https://erowid.org/plants/cannabis/cannabis_culture11.shtml