THE time is right for a serious national debate about the legalisation of cannabis, according to West Midlands MEP Bill Etheridge.

The issue hit the headlines last week after Home Secretary Sajid Javid permitted 12-year-old Billy Caldwell - who suffers with severe epilepsy - one of the bottles of cannabis oil confiscated by airport officials after his mother tried to bring them into the UK from Canada.

The UKIP politician and former Sedgley councillor said there were "countless cases" of anecdotal evidence to suggests the drug was beneficial for people suffering with certain illnesses.

"The most powerful argument against people smoking weed in the UK over recent years is that it can have detrimental effects on the mental health of some people and that new types of skunk have become more powerful and harmful," he said.

"Surely if the product is legalised, regulated and taxed, we can minimise the damage.

"Properly regulated supplies will ensure that the products with the damaging new varieties included can be banned."

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