"Many states bar convicted drug felons from the industry, disproportionately hurting minorities because of historically higher conviction rates. Others have set high investment requirements. Some dole out licenses through appointed commissions that industry researchers say reward the politically connected, who by and large are wealthy and white."

That tends to happen when you let politicians determine the rules of who gets to enter the market place. They look out for themselves and their friends/cronies first and foremost. Yes, they'll prevent poor people from building income from this market, yes they'll protect their friends from competition from new people entering the market, and yes they'll demand high fees for market entry.  Did anyone really think that these slimy little pricks would let even a part of the drug war come to an end without them getting a piece the action for themselves?