In order to understand any drug policy one must take into consideration its various components: assumptions about human nature, cultural and political traditions, the activities of different interest groups, theoretical framework, and the like. This paper discusses these aspects of Swedish drug policy as a means of shedding light on why Sweden, widely renowned as a humanitarian and rational country, has been one of the staunchest proponents of what some people consider to be inhumane and irrational drug policies. The author argues that Sweden's drug policy is basically logical, given the nation's cultural understanding and assumptions about alcohol (assumptions that have been transferred to other drugs as well). However, due to changes both within and outside of the country, alternative paradigms are gradually gaining ground, and there are indications that change in Swedish drug policy may be forthcoming.