Professor Nutt sacked

Release was outraged but perhaps not surprised that Professor Nutt was eventually sacked over his criticism of the government's policy on cannabis. His attempt to bring science and sense into the debate on drugs created a media storm and has brought the issue welcome headlines.

This was a great opportunity for the government to clearly explain its drugs policy and outline why it disagrees with Professor Nutt.

Instead, the government has simply got rid of those who disagree with it, hiding behind the excuse that its advisers can't campaign publicly against government decisions – even when the “campaign” is conducted in scientific journals and academic lectures! Academics like Professor Nutt are considered for these unpaid advisory roles precisely because they have expertise in specific areas – it is absurd to then expect them to stop discussing their professional judgements once employed.

Professor Nutt's role was to advise the government based on scientific evidence not to rubber-stamp a pre-determined political agenda. In trying to do this, he has lost his job and raised wider questions about the government's commitment to policy-making based on scientific evidence.

By meekly agreeing with Mr Johnson's decision, the Conservatives have missed a valuable opportunity to put clear blue water between them and the government on drugs policy. The refusal of both Labour and the Conservatives to enter into the debate on drugs is surprising in the run-up to the 2010 election – we believe that the public would welcome a sensible debate and it could play well with the all-important swing voters.

Release hopes that Professor Nutt will continue to set the agenda on drug policy and we look forward to the debate on drugs continuing to focus on science and reason rather than politics and hype.