I agree with your views on lawmakers keeping themselves busy making new laws and expanding their political budgets which they deem "success," but legalizing something isn't a new law its elimination an old law.
And as far as carcinogens go with marijuana, making baked goods is a healthy way to enjoy it. Also vaporization, the act of releasing the THC and CBD by not breaking down the carbon walls of the matter which makes smoke deadly, is another way to enjoy in a healthy manner.