A PETITION to legalise cannabis attracted more support from people in Glasgow than any other city, an MP has said.

More than 220,000 signed the call to make the production, sale and use of cannabis legal.

MPs debated the petition and the pros and cons of legalising cannabis in the House of Commons.

Across Glasgow more than 3000 people signed up with Glasgow Central the highest number with 539 Glasgow East had 487 and Glasgow North East 449.

Anne McLaughlin SNP MP for Glasgow North East said she has been told the biggest support for legalisation came from Glasgow.

Ms McLaughlin who called for more research into the effects of cannabis said she had heard from many constituents on both sides of the argument.

She said: “The health effects of cannabis at a societal level, its relation to other drugs including tobacco and its relationship, causal or otherwise, with mental health problems require further study.”

She said she did not envy those who had to decide on the matter and noted a “fragmented” approach within the UK with Westminster responsible for the control of drugs but Holyrood for the treatment and prevention of drug problems.

The petition states: “Legalising cannabis could bring in £900m in taxes every year, save £400m on policing cannabis and create over 10,000 new jobs.

“A substance that is safer than alcohol, and has many uses. It is believed to have been used by humans for over 4000 years, being made illegal in the UK in 1925.”

Ms McLaughlin told MPs: “It is clear from the petition that cannabis and its production, use and legislation is an important issue to the people of the United Kingdom.

“I received an email from a constituent yesterday informing me that more people signed the petition in Scotland than anywhere else, and that Glasgow was the city with the highest number of signatories, with my own constituency having one of the highest rates.”

She read out comments from people in Glasgow North East in favour of and against legalisation.

She said :” Drew from Robroyston says ‘I understand arguments on both sides but it is hypocritical that we freely sell and consume substances such as alcohol and tobacco but prosecute those who choose to ingest less harmful drugs.’

“Caroline, however, says ‘My brother was managing his schizophrenia until he started cannabis.”

“William asks me ‘If the Misuse of Drugs Act is there to prevent social harm and alcohol and tobacco aren’t illegal, why am I made to be a criminal for smoking cannabis?’

“Another constituent says ‘The fact that alcohol is legal is not an argument for also legalising cannabis. If we were considering legalising alcohol today, would we?’”

The UK Government response to the petition states: “We must prevent drug use in our communities; help dependent individuals through treatment and wider recovery support; while ensuring law enforcement protects society by stopping the supply and tackling the organised crime that is associated with the drugs trade.”