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A pro cannabis rally is taking place in Redcar on Saturday.

Supporters are to campaign for a change in the law, as well as those wanting to find out more about their efforts.

As part of their campaign organisers Teesside Cannabis Club - which has joined with Tyne & Wear Cannabis Club to host the event - seeks to see the drug legalised for medicinal use.

It is the first major cannabis-based event to be held in the North-east and will take place from 12pm - with further details available on the Facebook event page.

It will feature a number of speakers and the opportunity to meet other campaigners.

John Holiday, 30, is the founder of Teesside Cannabis Club which he says has around 1000 members.

John says he used cannabis to help with a chronic stomach complaint that doctors were unable to diagnose.

However he is keen to stress that as a figurehead for the club he no longer uses the drug.

John, a mechanic from central Middlesbrough, says that after much research online he turned to cannabis oil six years ago which he says helped him dramatically - and claims he was able to come off six prescribed drugs entirely.

He said: “It completely resolved the problem.

“If it wasn’t for running this campaign I would still be using it every day.”

He added: “We are trying to promote the medicinal use, the industrial use and the recreational use - we want to tackle it on all three points.

“we are trying to get as much attention as possible. However we are not condoning anyone behaving in a illegal way.

“It’s a meeting of like-minded people.

“People will come from all over to find out the facts and speak to people.”

Currently it remains illegal for UK residents to possess cannabis in any form. It is illegal to possess, grow, distribute or sell in the UK without the appropriate licences.

It is a Class B drug, with penalties for unlicensed dealing, unlicensed production and unlicensed trafficking of up to 14 years in prison, an unlimited fine, or both.

A spokeswoman for Cleveland Police said they would be monitoring the event and dealing robustly with anyone engaging in antisocial or criminal behaviour.

Alcohol is banned at the event.