Press Association

Sunday January 21, 2007


Conservative leader David Cameron has said he could legalise cannabis for medicinal use if he becomes Prime Minister.

Mr Cameron said he would be "guided by the science and evidence" in a video message on his internet site webcameron.

Responding to a question posed by a visitor to his website, he said: "If it could be proved there was a real medicinal benefit, I would be relaxed by that.

"Politicians should be guided by the science and evidence and we should make the decision.

"My decision would be to license it if we can prove the medicinal benefits."

But Mr Cameron was firm on his stance that cannabis should not be legalised for recreational use.

"I don't believe cannabis should be legalised," he said.

"It is right that it's criminal because if you decriminalise you increase the availability and make it more difficult for parents who are trying to keep their children away from drugs."