The majority of our online voters in today's debate believe that it should be right to legalise cannabis for recreational use.

This comes after a Cumbria MP called for the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use - sparking a row with an aspiring police and crime commissioner.

Tim Farron, the Westmorland and Lonsdale MP, will back a motion calling for his Liberal Democrats party to extend its existing support for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use to recreational use.

The motion follows the release of findings from an expert, Lib Dem-appointed panel.

Mr Farron becomes the first main party leader to propose decriminalising the drug for social use.

He said: "I believe in evidence-based policy making and making sure that decisions are made with all the information available and in the public domain.

"I think this furthers public policy making and delivers better outcomes.

"The party went into the last election proposing that drug use should be treated as a health issue and allowing police to focus on those manufacturing, importing or dealing in illegal drugs.

"With that in mind, the Liberal Democrats will be releasing a report of independent experts in the coming weeks talking about the issue."



Peter McCall Peter McCall, the Conservative candidate hoping to be the next Cumbria police and crime commissioner, hit back at Mr Farron's comments on the issue via Twitter, saying: "Unbelievable populist nonsense. We need less drugs not more" and "Just Say No".

Mr McCall said: "I'm absolutely opposed to the idea of seeing any relaxation around the laws of cannabis use and the potential for more drugs on our streets."

The commissioner candidate said there is evidence out there about the addiction and psychotic risks caused by cannabis, particularly with young people, and the link to crime.

Mr McCall said: "Evidence from Canada has shown that cannabis can cause impairment to learning ability and concentration.

"The thought of it getting into our schools, and where young people would get the money from, it fills me with horror."

As of 4pm today, 85% of our online voters were in favour of legalising cannabis for recreational use, with just 15% of voters against the idea.