If they change their stance towards smoking pot even slightly, that woud indicate that they're not only trying to go mainstream, but that they are showing the hardcore JWs the door. I wonder how my mother is viewing these changes, she has always been ultra-loyal and unquestioning, but also ultra-conservative in her views. I would not be surprised if she is put off by stuff as simple as dress codes and facial hair. I don't know if she could accept any kind of softening on smoking or drugs.
You can only ask the hardcore types to lighten up so many times before they realize that you are really asking them to leave.