No tobacco in the joint

Dutch ban smoking tobacco — but rules on marijuana are still hazy (The Times)

The article is about the current situation in The Netherlands, which has recently followed the rest of Europe in banning smoking in enclosed public places. Smoking tobacco, that is: smoking pure cannabis in Amsterdam's (in)famous coffee shops is still legal.

Obviously, this is absolutely crazy. As one bemused Dutchman put it, "In other countries they look for the marijuana in the cigarette. Here they look for the cigarette in the marijuana". Also, presumably the rationale behind banning smoking cigarettes indoors is to eliminate the associated health risks. But what difference will that make in a room where everyone is smoking something else? Just another occasion where the law is an ass.