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Three more members of the government's drugs advisory panel resigned on Tuesday in the wake of the dismissal of the body's former chairman, Professor David Nutt.
Despite efforts by home secretary Alan Johnson to reassure expert advisers of the government's respect for their independence, there remains a growing rift between ministers and the scientific community.
Dr John Marsden, Dr Ian Ragan and Dr Simon Campbell had quit the Advisory Council for the Misuse of Drugs (ACMD) after the departure of two others earlier this month.
The three members resigned their posts shortly after a meeting with Johnson, who had been trying to ease tensions with the panel.
The meeting was held following the fallout over the dismissal of Professor David Nutt following his remarks on the relative risks of ecstasy, cannabis alcohol and tobacco.
A Home Office spokeswoman said the resignations "were regrettable" but insisted that discussions with the ACMD had been "constructive".
The department also confirmed that to remain quorate the ACMD needs to have 20 members, and that six positions need to be filled for the body to function.
Shadow home secretary Chris Grayling said: "Whilst we backed the original decision, by now I would have expected the home secretary to be able to sit down with other members of the council and rebuild confidence and stability in what they are doing. Quite clearly he has failed to do that."
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