'LEGALISE DRUG' CALL BY COUNCIL HOPEFUL

A FORMER Nelson man is fighting to become a councillor with a 'legalise
cannabis' campaign.

Marcus Davies, who admits using the banned drug to ease symptoms of
epilepsy, is standing as a Legalise Cannabis Alliance candidate in
Peterborough.

Mr Davies, 31, was born and brought up in Nelson and attended Devereux
preparatory school in the town. He left Pendle for Peterborough two years
ago.

He believes cannabis should be legalised for medicinal and recreational
purposes.

"I was diagnosed as having grand mal epilepsy in 1988 and I was prescribed
all sorts of drugs which left me still having seizures," explained Mr
Davies. "As a last resort and on the advice of a doctor I tried cannabis and
I have never looked back.

"There is no reason whatsoever for the Government to drag its feet on
allowing cannabis to be used for medicinal purposes. It's never killed
anybody.

"When I first decided to stand I thought I didn't have much of a chance but
I wanted to use it to highlight the issue.

"But the support I've been receiving is fantastic and I think the other
candidates are looking over their shoulders now."

Mr Davies said his mother Margaret, who died of liver cancer earlier this
year, used cannabis to ease her pain.

His step-brother Steve Taylor, of Halifax Road, Nelson, said his family's
experience of using the drug for medicinal purposes had convinced him
cannabis should be legalised.

"My mother tried it and it helped her in her last few weeks," he said. "I'm
supportive of what my brother is doing. He's had the bottle to stand up for
what he believes.

"Cannabis can be quite good for people in certain circumstances."