Um, I honestly don't see the Hearst connection as logical. Hearst was a very smart man, and a very greedy one. If he could save money by using hemp, he would've. Blaming the corporations for not being able to get baked is just stupid.
To make it legal... well, I'm not sure. It would be made illegal at some point anyways, just like tobacco will be (at least here in the States). As to being a clean alternative to alcohol, I don't see that either, since you can drink without getting drunk. You can't do hits without getting high. And I'd rather be around a bellicose drunk than a stoner. They are way too annoying, smelly, and self-righteous. It's like evangelicals, but with 100% more "WOAH" and "brah".
On topic, have Rastas become the dominant protestant sect in the US. Catholics support wine, etc., Rastas support weed.