There are quite a few of the pro-legalization types right here on FR. Anyone who thought legalization would blunt the power and reach of the cartels is delusional. This is just the beginning.
Why would cartels bother growing/selling a plant that is supposed to cost less than basil? They are not in the farming business.
Of course prohibition and high taxes do cartels a favor by creating an instant insane profit margin on weeds and eliminating legitimate competititon. Illegal pot is often bought for more than its weight in gold!
All plants should be unrestricted and untaxed for personal growing/use. Since plants are so easy to grow, all you do is create a black market. Just like alcohol tax and prohibition pretty much gave birth to true organized crime. Government GAVE them a profit margin on a platter.
Since drugs are thousands of times more profitable than booze, I believe the cartels have infiltrated every major government on Earth to continue this charade. The WOD has been a scam for a long time to simply eliminate competition and keep prices high.