Yes there are health risks. Cancer of the lung and throat, hardening of the arteries, and acute hypertension just to name a few. But it is not a life threatening drug. Anything can be a health risk and if you were smart you would not smoke marijuana because it has risks. But it shouldnt be illegal.
Your right, in high school my friends dad made moonshine, he sold it though.
I cant believe that the government will let you put a bunch of stuff together and let it rot until it is toxic enough to alter your abilities and then drink it, but to dry a plant and smoke it, well no not that. To me if you are having to "manufacture" your drug of choice.... thats probably not good. I can pick mine.