Marijuana seems to carry risks equal to or lower than those of alcohol and tobacco, and it even appears to offer many benefits, so it feels like a missed opportunity that it is so strictly regulated. I can understand, however, why this unbalanced situation has come to be, as the risks of alcohol and tobacco have been socially accepted for such a long time. https://theconversation.com/dea-could-reclassify-marijuana-to-a-less-restrictive-category-a-drug-policy-expert-weighs-the-pros-and-cons-237199