There are really really weird organizational divisions. You have the DEA and the FDA very far apart despite one having the scientific expertise and the other having enforcement expertise. You have police in every branch of the government, and the DOJ for good measure. You have food stamps in the ag department as well.
the DEA doesn't need scientific expertise, they're NARCs who can cross state lines. they're cops -- law enforcement -- and they're there to enforce the law, not advise on it.
the FDA's job is to think about this stuff and provide recommendations and regulations. and a big part of their purview is Food, hence the F. Drugs are in the name too, but that's as much about the latest cancer medication as it as about street heroin.
