Welsh student's petition leads to cannabis legalisation debate

Parliament will debate the legalisation of cannabis today, following an online campaign led by a university student.

James Owen, who studies at Aberystwyth University, has argued that legalising the class B drug could benefit the UK economy by bringing in an extra £900 million a year in tax.

It will be the first time since 2004 that the issue of legalising the production, sale and use of the drug will be debated in Westminster.

Paul Flynn, Labour MP for Newport West, who has previously worked with cannabis law reform campaigners, will lead the debate.

But campaigners are not hopeful the petition will have any great impact, as a swift Government response online was quick to insist there would be no change to the law.