Pusillanimous politicians in charge of drug classification

This leader from the Guardian published on the 1st August 2006 criticizes the political interference which has made the existing drug classification hopelessly arbritrary. Instead of categorizing the harmfulness of drugs according to scientific measures the existing classification merely panders to political whim. Given that scientific measures conclude that alcohol and tobacco are more harmful than an array of illegal drugs the whole basis for their prohibition is called into question. Sadly the leader concludes that a rational approach to drug policy is unlikely since the entire criminalization system would be undermined.