LABOUR MP Gordon Prentice is to step up his campaign to legalise cannabis for medical use.

The member for Pendle is to press health ministers to return to the pre-1973 situation when doctors could prescribe the drug - often in liquid form - for certain conditions.

He is to join leading academics and fellow Labour MP Austin Mitchell at a meeting with health minister Paul Boateng on December 8 to discuss new findings backing the use of cannabis in treatment.

A report from the British Medical Association today supported the case for limited use of the drug for medical purposes - a view overwhelmingly endorsed by its members.

Mr Prentice said: "I am keeping my fingers crossed that we may be able to make some progress on the back of the BMA report which is likely to be helpful in moving the debate forward.

"There is no doubt in my mind that cannabis and cannabis derivatives can help people cope with the variety of medical conditions."

Mr Prentice is secretary of the all-party multiple sclerosis group, and sufferers from MS are particularly believed to benefit from the drug.

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