THE town's Liberal Democrat leader believes introducing a regulated cannabis market could be the 'right approach' to combat illegal production of the drug in Warrington.

The party set up an independent panel of experts to establish how a legalised market for cannabis could work in the UK.

MPs debated legalising the production, sale and use of cannabis in Parliament last month following a petition which gained more than 221,000 signatures but ministers said they had no plans to alter the laws.

Liberal Democrat health spokesman Normal Lamb wants the panel to look at at evidence from Colorado, Washington State and Uruguay, where cannabis has been legalised, and to make recommendations for the party to consider in the spring.

And leader Bob Barr (LD – Lymm) said he 'very much welcomes' the call for an evidence based approach to the cannabis market.

"Despite decades of Government and police time being devoted to a 'war on drugs' there comes a point where one has to accept that the war has been lost," he added.

"Illegal cannabis production is regularly reported in the Warrington Guardian and users can only turn to criminals in order to get their supply.

"This is dangerous and can lead to the criminals trying to sell them harder drugs.

"While cannabis use should not be encouraged any more than alcohol consumption or smoking, prohibition makes matters worse rather than better.

"A legal taxed and regulated supply turns the control of cannabis use and any adverse effect into a public health issue rather than a criminal one – I believe that is the right approach."

Ian Marks, who was leader of the council between 2006-11, has also weighed in on the debate.

Mr Marks lost his Lymm seat, which he held since 1995, at May's election but continues to play an active role within the Liberal Democrats.

He said: "It is important we take a pragmatic view and look at the evidence and understand what the experience is elsewhere.

"I am certainly sympathetic to the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes."

The council has not commented on the matter and said it is an issue for the Government.