You also incidentally hit upon the reason why it's been marginalized by industry for so long -- it represents a huge dent in profits. Whenever something seems awry, a good question to ask is, cui bono (who benefits)?
That's lobbying. In todays world, lobbying is a dispicable act, at least if you are into science or if you like stuff that has been proven by scientific measures. In today's world, lobbying VETOes science.
Spreading knowledge isn't blocking science if done with scientists and people with conflicts if interests (unlike grabbing public projects or impeding legal change in your favor).
Tobacco is already losing customers, and this is partly b/c of the fact that second hand smoke has been attacked so directly. It's not just YOU that's smoking, it's everyone around you (marijuana, depending on it's consumption method will suffer a similar stigma).
Alcohol companies on the other hand are just being paranoid. I suspect that alcohol consumption will maintain it's current usage, or potentially even go up. In fact, if marijuana was fully legalized, it's oil being very similar to hops (and in the same family, Cannabaceae), could be used in some beverages. The beer industry could in fact have an entirely "new" product line.
There are several marijuana drinks that get you high being sold/marketed at dispensaries
https://slatestarcodex.com/2014/06/15/fish-now-by-prescripti...