Teesside Cannabis Club hold pro-cannabis rally at Redcar Rugby Union Football Club's fields

Teesside Cannabis Club founder John Holiday

A pro-cannabis rally was held in Redcar to "start a sensible debate" on legalising the Class B drug.

It was held by Teesside Cannabis Club at Redcar Rugby Union Football Club's fields on Green Lane on Saturday afternoon.

John Holiday, 30, from Middlesbrough, started the club as his interest in the medicinal qualities of the drug grew.

"We have had five get-togethers in the North-east but not on this level," said John, who registered the group six months ago.

"We have got three main areas: medicinal, recreational and industrial.

"This rally gives people a hands on approach, a chance to get involved with other like-minded people.

"Everything happens down south so this is to give people something to get behind in the North-east.

"We got permission from the rugby club and we've had meetings with the police."

John began using cannabis for medicinal reasons several years ago when he suffered with Crohn's Disease style symptoms which saw him hospitalised having lost a lot of weight.

"I had negative experiences with prescribed medication - tramadol addiction, various side effects," he said.

"I take cannabis in a capsule instead now, it's coconut-infused cannabis oil. I do smoke it recreationally too.

"Five years ago my father was diagnosed with lung cancer. He had all the chemo and radiotherapy and had positive results in the beginning but the side effects of that was it killed off his immune system and he passed away last June.

"We didn't get the chance to trial cannabis with him, it's very hard to make the cannabis oil to treat cancer and it's not something you can do legally in the UK."

Colin Richardson, 41, from Pallister Park, Middlesbrough, said: "I have been using cannabis since I was 11. You don't hear of people using cannabis committing crimes. It's different from other drugs."

Rolfie Lokikush Larsen, 37, from Guisborough, said: "It's just time to have a sensible conversation about this. We're talking about a plant at the end of the day.

"It's time people realised that stoners are responsible people who can hold down jobs and bring up kids. I am a single father of two children and work as a volunteer for Guisborough museum.

"Cannabis should be on the same level as alcohol and cigarettes. It should have the same restrictions."

Cleveland Police checked in on the peaceful rally throughout the event.

http://www.gazettelive.co.uk/news/teesside-news/teesside-cannabis-club-hold-pro-cannabis-7553180 03/08/2014