CANNABIS TO BE LEGAL, CLAIMS MP

Ministers are set to legalise the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes,
an MP has claimed.

Labour's Paul Flynn told the House of Commons: "The position at the moment
is, I believe, that the government have made up their minds to allow
cannabis to be used for medicinal purposes.

"It's not a question of if, it's a question of when."

Mr Flynn (Newport West), a veteran campaigner for the legalisation of
cannabis for medicinal purposes, claimed it could help multiple sclerosis
sufferers in particular.

In a debate on drugs, he said 100 MPs had signed a Commons early day motion
calling for such a move.

Leap forward

"That's an enormous leap forward. Six years ago there was a total of 13 MPs
that signed a virtually identical motion before this House.

"The debate is developing."

Earlier Cabinet Enforcer Jack Cunningham had told Opposition spokeswoman
Ann Winterton: "I can assure you that the government has no intention of
de-criminalising any illegal drugs."

But Mr Flynn's call was backed by Labour's Dr Brian Iddon (Bolton South
East), chairman of the all-party drugs misuse group, who said: "I would
certainly allow the use of cannabis tomorrow for medical purposes. "

Jailed

A disabled man jailed for growing cannabis to relieve the pain of arthritis
was blocked by the Prison Service from visiting the Commons with the MP in
May.

Eric Mann, 55, of Pembroke Dock, west Wales, who is serving a 12-month
sentence, was prevented from appearing at a press conference to campaign
for a change in the law.

He was ordered to return to Prescoed open prison, in South Wales, after his
34-hour pass was rescinded.