A MULTIPLE sclerosis sufferer has spoken out about the medicinal benefits of cannabis oil and has called for its legalisation.

Steve Cope, 29, from Hereford, was diagnosed with the condition two years ago and has taken cannabis to ease his symptoms ever since.

He takes cannabis oil that contains THC (tetrahydrocannabinol), however cannabis oil can only be sold legally in the UK if it contains less than 0.05% THC.

The legality of the substance has recently made national headlines after 12-year old Billy Caldwell’s medication, which helped control his epileptic seizures, was confiscated by Heathrow authorities.

His medication was later re-instated after Home Secretary Sajid Javid granted a special licence.

Mr Cope, from Hampton Dene, is confident that public opinion is turning, but wants more people need to know the reality and debunk the many myths.

He said: “The stuff I smoke every day is illegal in this country but it’s ready to be made legal. THC is helping people. It could do so much more for so many others.”

Mr Cope finds that the substance helps to improve his mobility and eases tight muscle and joint areas and spasms.

Without it, he says that he would struggle to do basic daily tasks.

The 29-year-old even has to take it to make the short walk to his favourite bench in the morning as without it he would struggle to get out of bed.

His condition has impacted on his life to the extent that he been forced to give up work.

He explained: “I started my own business a few years ago.

“I used to be a plumber but, within two weeks of being diagnosed, I had to give it up.”

Mr Cope is passionate about raising awareness of the benefits of cannabis for medicinal use and wants the UK to follow the likes of Canada and a number of US states where THC is legal for medicinal purposes.

He has recently joined the group Clear, an organisation which campaigns for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal purposes and for the introduction of a system of regulation for the production and supply of cannabis.

“The UK is behind,” he said. “We need to be clear over it all.”

He blasted the treatment of Billy and other people who are forced to use illegal medicinal cannabis as ‘wrong’.

He added: “Something needs to be done.”