Well, if it were legal, I would grow it, and would not waste my time growing ditch weed. Yes, they require regular attention, but it isn’t that bad.
Making wine and beer takes a bit of effort, but many do so with excellent results.
Some people just don’t have the patience required for either.
Which is what I was saying, that with all these things bad is easy, good is effort, most folks aren’t even willing to put in the effort for bad, which is why there’s a market in the first place. Which is why legalizing wouldn’t result in everybody growing their own, because most folks aren’t even willing to do the minimal effort to grow ditch, forget the additional cost and effort to make it actually good. Beer is probably the best example, already anybody can make really good beer, the books are out there, the equipment is out there, the recipes are out there, and it’s perfectly legal, and yet even most beer snobs don’t home brew because it’s harder than going to the liquor store.
I think you are correct - growing pot would be a “labor of love”, much like making homemade beer and wine. Many people, including myself, simply are too lazy to grow tomatos, strawberries, melons and other assorted veggies. I just go to the grocery store and buy the (inferior) veggies - it’s just easier, quicker and simpler that way.
But, your point is well taken. With relatively minor effort, one could grow “Good” pot (or at least I would assume).
I grew up in South Dakota in the 70-80’s, and it wasn’t unsual for the cops to find it growing in between the rows in a corn field. No irrigation (at least for the corn). The cops used a special green filter, that would differentiate the color of the corn stalk, from the color of green of the pot. Still, I’m sure many tons went out every year - and often the farmer never had a clue.