A FORMER drugs minister has become the first patron of a campaign to legalise medicinal cannabis.

Norman Baker, who was drugs minister under the coalition government, has become the patron of anti-prohibition campaign group United Patients Alliance.

The charity - set up by Clark French - a medicinal cannabis user from Brighton - with the support of Brighton MP Caroline Lucas - aims to offer support and advocacy to medicinal cannabis users as well as get the drug removed from the schedule of banned substances and available to those with a medical need.

The former Lewes MP said: “Cannabis had recognised medicinal properties well before the misuse of drugs act.

“In my view it is cruel to stop people accessing something that could help their health.

“I am very clear from my time as drugs minister in the coalition government that for some people, access to cannabis is essential for their health and it is disgraceful that not only are they denied access to vital medicine but prosecuted if they access it themselves. The UPA makes a strong case for a more humane approach and I am delighted to do what I can to support them.”

The charity now believes it is inevitable that medicinal cannabis will be legalised in Britain.

Forty-four states in America have medical marijuana programmes and countless other countries have relaxed their prohibition laws.

Mr Baker, who has recently been named managing director of The Big lemon bus company, said: “We have reached a certain point of unstoppable momentum

“We cant keep our eyes shut to scientific fact forever. Although I’m not quite sure the current Government has that view.

“Certainly Teresa May didn’t when I was her number two.”

During his time as drugs minister Mr Baker campaigned for his Government colleagues to relax the laws - sparking a rift between the coalition and short shift from health secretary Jeremy Hunt who said they had no plans to relax the law.

Mr Baker said he did not believe that being a scheduled illegal substance should make a difference to allowing the drug to be used medicinally - as other medicines like morphine are banned for recreational use.

Mr French who founded the UPA after he discovered cannabis oil reduced the pain, tremors and spasms he suffers as a part of his MS.

Mr French said: “We are delighted to welcome Norman as our first patron. After our meetings with Norman at his constituency office he took Keiron Reeves and I to the home office to talk about how medical cannabis helps us.

“Having a former drugs Minister as a part of of the UPA is going to strengthen our organisation.”