With regard to the consumer just wanting to get high. I think that is incorrect. While it is a more prevalent issue given the size and legality of the market, it is no different to alcohol. While a huge number of people just buy the cheapest highest % booze they can find, there are plenty of folk who will happily spend the extra money to get a wine that is actually enjoyable, and not just for getting you drunk. I think part of theissue at present is also that it is a scorned upon thing, a lot of the people with the money who wjould buy the nicer bottle of alcohol, are often the kind who were brought up with the weeb = bad mentality. Maybe with time that will all change.
As to legalisation, i don't really see it happening any time soon, americas MMJ laws have turned the notion of medical cannabis into a complete joke and it is no longer taken that seriously as people see mmj in cali etc, as a trial, to see what would happen, and it's just kids making shit up so they can get a card that'll get them high. For legalisation there needs to be a bigger push from a different direction, the medical direction has been shot to pieces by it's users.
Weed to me holds no intrinsic value though, i would much much rather hold down a job than make my living from pot. I don't like spending a few months sitting around bored let alone years, work keeps your mind sharp, keeps you from becoming a slob and whatnot. I'l do it as a hobby and supplement my income in a small manner, even be it just for petrol money given what we pay in the UK, but i would never chose it as my sole income.