Why is pot still considered to be such a dangerous drug? Is it likely to change?

As NORML reported on Sunday, marijuana arrests have increased in the past few decades and now constitute approximately 750,000 arrests every year, or 50 percent of drug arrests.  Some are still given life sentences for possession with intent to distribute or cultivation, when marijuana is generally recognized as a fairly safe drug, and its Control I substance status has largely prevented it from being analyzed further.

For instance, as NORML executive, Allen St. Piere reports, a man is currently facing a potential life sentence for growing 51 plants.  This continued criminal enforcement occurs despite growing evidence that marijuana has medicial benefits and is comparatively much less danagerous than legal substances, especially alcohol.