"If those people could walk into any pharmacy and simply buy ... [at] ... one tenth of what it costs today via illegal routes of supply?"

But, based on the govt.'s taxing of Marijuana in CO won't they look at any such initiative as another way/excuse to strip mine the citizenry for more taxes?

Based on the anecdotal evidence I've read, which I'm not assuming is reliable, but in any case isn't there an illegal business opportunity for a black market to arise based on being able to avoid taxes, etc. and undercut the official channels? Also, wouldn't we run into the same problem with the Big Pharma monopoly protections, or are we hoping/assuming any sanity that would come in the illegal drugs arena might attack this area of low-hanging fruit too.

Appreciate your honesty in tackling this, but I also think we can all see how unlikely it is the govt. and entrenched PTB are going to give up the status quo (i.e. their money, power, etc.) willingly.