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The Home Secretary's decision to defy the Government's expert advisors and toughen up the cannabis laws is a U-turn that clearly has not been undertaken lightly. It was, after all, one of Jacqui Smith's Labour predecessors, David Blunkett, who in 2004 decided to downgrade cannabis to Class C so the police could concentrate their resources on offences involving "harder" drugs like cocaine and heroin.

So what has happened since to change the present incumbent's mind? Ms Smith says that she has taken the decision to raise cannabis from its present C category to avoid "risking the future health of young people". Despite the Advisory Council on the Misuse of Drugs concluding that it plays only a "modest role" in the development of psychotic illness, including schizophrenia, she has decided to err on the side of caution.

That is probably wise, given developments since David Blunkett made his 2004 decision. Cannabis is now stronger than it was, with the arrival on the scene of "skunk". And the Advisory Council's use of the phrase "modest role" needs to be looked at in the context of a dramatic rise since 2004-05 in the number of over-18s receiving treatment for cannabis abuse.

Jacqui Smith believes there is a compelling case to act now rather than wait and see whether there is long-term damage to users. In a world in which those who manufacture and market drugs are constantly moving the goalposts to maximise their sales and profits, the authorities must sometimes anticipate potential consequences rather than waiting for them to happen, even at the risk of appearing over-cautious.

8:28am Thursday 8th May 2008

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