Galway City Councillor Billy Cameron has called for legalisation of cannabis to be openly debated, saying that many people could benefit from a change in the current law.

Speaking to the Galway Independent, Cllr Cameron said that although he didn't "indulge" in the drug, he could see many valid arguments for why it should be legalised.

"I don't indulge myself, but the Labour Party would be very open-minded when it comes to issues like this one. I think it is something which needs more discussion because there are many health benefits for people with eating disorders and immune deficiencies and also for its pain-killing properties," he said.

However, Cllr Cameron said the benefits of legalisation must be weighed up against the detriment to society. He said there was a danger of young people abusing the drug.

"Personally, I am open to medical advice on the implications of legalising this drug. The benefits may not weigh up against the dangers. But I would definitely be in favour of changing the situation for medical use and other than that I suppose it is the people's choice. I do think that in a mature society like ours that the debate should be wide open."

However, fellow Labour Councillor Collette Connolly fiercely opposed the idea, saying that she thought the notion was "absurd".

"I have read a lot of research on this topic and there is no solid evidence that legalising cannabis will act as a deterrent. Why legalise it? Basically if you legalise something, you decriminalise it."

"Many people argue that it should be legalised for medicinal reasons but I don't think this is a valid argument either; there are many other drugs out there. Instead of looking at legalising drugs, we should be looking at why people are using them. In this age of the Celtic Tiger, why are people so unhappy that they feel the need to get blotto?"

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