DRUG users are planning to stage a "cannabis celebration" in Glasgow's George Square.

The annual '420 event' sees campaigners come together in a public place on April 20 to call for the legalisation of the Class B drug.

Last year Glasgow Cannabis Social Club held a gathering of 150 people at Glasgow Green and five were reported to the procurator fiscal for flouting the law by lighting up in full view of police.

The maximum penalty for possession of cannabis is five years' imprisonment.

Organisers of this year's event have set up a page on Facebook and almost 200 have already agreed to attend.

They have asked people to vote on where it should be held and the overwhelming majority opted for George Square.

The Facebook event states the gathering on April 20 is "our day to come together publicly in an open space to celebrate with each other that we are awake and conscious of this issue that prohibition affects all of us."

It adds: "We stand in the face of it to celebrate the almost infinite benefit that cannabis could have to mankind if we choose to rewrite the statutes with an alternative."

Speakers at the event are expected to promote the so-called health benefits of the plant - including incredible claims that it can cure cancer - as well as encouraging people to "grow their own".

Rock bands and comedians are set to take to the stage to create a festival atmosphere from 10am until 6pm and a range of drug paraphernalia, such as pipes, bongs and rolling papers, will be available to buy.

A post on Facebook by organisers Glasgow Cannabis Social Club said: "The consequences of prohibition are becoming more apparent as people struggle to find jobs with criminal records, families dealing with losing their children over use of a plant and patients whose medical system has failed them by excluding cannabis."

They insist they want to "exercise free speech" at the planned event in George Square, however Scottish Conservative chief whip John Lamont criticised organisers.

He said: "Festivals openly promoting and championing illegal behaviour cannot be tolerated, particularly in one of Glasgow's focal points.

"These people like to pretend that cannabis is a harmless drug, and won't care that their activities will be witnessed by families and children.

"However it's responsible for one in ten drug-related hospital admissions, and is a gateway substance for more lethal drugs.

"Last year, people were openly smoking cannabis on Glasgow Green, and it seemed the police were powerless to do anything about it.

"That cannot be allowed to happen this time round."

Christine Duncan, chief executive of Scottish Families Affected by Alcohol and Drugs, also raised concerns about the event.

She said: "Any glamorising of substance misuse cannot be supported as we are too aware of the impact, including financial ruin and break-up of families.

"The more young people see an illegal behaviour so publicly exhibited, the more difficult it will become to educate them on what is still an illegal substance."

Police Scotland's officers are expected to keep a close watching brief on George Square on April 20.

A spokesman for the force said: "We are aware of the potential for events and gatherings related to cannabis on April 20. If events are to take place they will be policed appropriately."

The Evening Times understands that Glasgow Cannabis Social Club staged last year's event at Glasgow Green after an application to the council for permission was turned down.

The group will have to go through the same process this year if they decided to hold an event at George Square, which the local authority officially classes as a park.

A spokesman for Glasgow City Council said: "Anyone who wants to use our parks for events needs to apply for permission and comply with our park management rules."

The Evening Times contacted Glasgow Cannabis Social Club but they did not respond.