WEST Dunbartonshire MP Martin Docherty-Hughes has backed a campaign to legalise medicinal cannabis in the UK.

The SNP MP took to social media to declare his support for the End Our Pain campaign, which created a petition asking doctors to prescribe the drug to patients suffering from chronic pain and has already garnered support from numerous high profile individuals, including former First Minister Alex Salmond and Virgin CEO Richard Branson.

Mr Docherty-Hughes said: “The medical benefits of cannabis are well known and hundreds of millions of people around the world have safe and legal access to medical marijuana.

“It’s a disgrace in the 21st century that my constituents, living with chronic pain from conditions such as multiple sclerosis, fibromyalgia and avascular necrosis have to choose between suffering and breaking the law.

“I am delighted to pledge my support for the legalisation of cannabis as a treatment option for doctors and their patients.

"I will be encouraging colleagues to pledge their support and I hope that a change in the law will not be too far off.”