America’s paper of record believes that it’s time the United States legalized marijuana.

The New York Times‘ editorial board endorsed federal legalization late on Saturday, saying that there is little evidence that moderate marijuana use is more dangerous than alcohol or tobacco, both of which are legal.

However, the board does believe sales should be restricted to people age 21 and up, citing concerns about the effect of marijuana on adolescent brains:

There are no perfect answers to people’s legitimate concerns about marijuana use. But neither are there such answers about tobacco or alcohol, and we believe that on every level — health effects, the impact on society and law-and-order issues — the balance falls squarely on the side of national legalization. That will put decisions on whether to allow recreational or medicinal production and use where it belongs — at the state level.

The Times also showed concern about how criminalization of marijuana can ruin the lives of otherwise model citizens:

Even worse, the result is racist, falling disproportionately on young black men, ruining their lives and creating new generations of career criminals.

The editorial comes as states across the country have begun to challenge conventional marijuana laws. Washington and Colorado legalized the sale of marijuana this year, and New York legalized the use of medical marijuana earlier this month.

The Times article says to expect more content from the paper in the coming days regarding the practicalities behind legalization.