Merseysiders who use cannabis to treat illness call for drug to be legalised
Clark French is among cannabis users from Merseyside who are calling for the drug to be legalised
Clark French is among cannabis users from Merseyside who are calling for the drug to be legalised
Sufferers of serious medical conditions in Merseyside are breaking the law against cannabis use in order to treat their illnesses.
Craig Crawford, from Old Swan, is among those using the drug who are calling for it to be legalised.
The United Patients Alliance and Merseyside Cannabis Supporters are holding an event next month to raise awareness of their campaign.
Craig, 26, told the ECHO: “Cannabis can replace and supplement many pharmaceutical drugs, saving the user from having to take a multitude of sometimes ineffective and even dangerous pharmaceutical drugs.
“Cannabis, without a doubt, should be legalised completely. The current prohibitionist laws do not work, cannot work and will never work - it didn’t work in the 1920s and 1930s when America prohibited alcohol, and it isn’t working now on cannabis. With a regulated framework we can have high quality and strength control and ID checks.”
Craig says he uses cannabis to relieve conditions including depression, insomnia and ADHD.
He said: “I got to the point where I was sick and tired of being sick and tired. I would either be sleepy to the point of having to nap on dinner hours in work, running to the toilet or feeling terrible. Sometimes I have had to phone in sick from stress and being run down all the time.”
Craig believes the drug can be used to treat a multitude of other medical conditions including cancer and Crohn’s disease.
Fellow campaigner Clark French, who is speaking at the event, uses cannabis to help deal with the symptoms of Multiple Sclerosis.
He said: “I find it helps my pain, spasms, bladder weakness and balance. It helps me eat and helps me sleep. Cannabis means that I can walk further and for longer and don’t need a wheelchair very often.”
The 29-year-old, who is travelling to speak at the Liverpool conference from Brighton, said: “I have replaced all pharmaceuticals with cannabis and save the NHS over £20,000 each year by choosing cannabis instead.”
The campaigners are urging anyone wishing to learn more about the medicinal effects of cannabis to attend the event, which will feature several medicinal cannabis patients speaking about how cannabis helps their condition.
Liberal Democrat MP Norman Baker, who was drugs minister until earlier this year, has previously called for people suffering from severe illnesses to be allowed to take cannabis.
The Home Office confirmed there are no plans to legalise the drug.
The event is being hosted at the Neurosupport Centre, Norton St, Liverpool on January 23 at 7.30pm for two hours.
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