User blog comment:Alemas2005/Yet more Minecraft Screenshots/@comment-5084796-20130826150310/@comment-4052371-20130826165325

It depends on whether it was MsD's intention to control gunpowder supplies. Gunpowder doesn't actually have any uses that are very beneficial. You can make TNT and splash potions with them. The TNT could just be used for griefing, and splash potions of harming could be used to kill someone with unenchanted armor quickly (and you could still drink normal potions). Maybe MsD intended to control the supply of gunpowder since it can be used in destructive ways.