Annual American Deaths From...

The image above is very controversial for many Americans. The picture shows annual American citizens deaths from various different categories of substances. The reason this would image would bring a debate among the public is because marijuana is listed as causing no deaths to citizens, yet it is illegal. Tobacco and alcohol on the other hand, according to the image, account for 500,000 annual deaths, despite the fact that they are legal. The main debate here is why is marijuana illegal? If various other legal substances cause an enormous amount of deaths but are permitted by law, then why does the government deem marijuana "harmful" to citizens and to our society?