SOUTH Lakes MP Tim Farron has called for the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use, sparking a row with the Conservative candidate for police and crime commissioner.

Mr Farron will back a motion calling for the Liberal Democrats to extend their existing support for the legalisation of cannabis for medicinal use to recreational use.

The move comes after the release of findings from a Lib Dem appointed expert panel.

It will see Mr Farron become the first leader of one of Britain’s main political parties to call for the legalisation of cannabis for recreational use.

“I believe in evidence based policy making and making sure that decisions are made with all the information available and in the public domain," he said.

“I think this furthers public policy making and delivers better outcomes.

“The party went into the last election proposing that drug use should be treated as a health issue and allowing police to focus on those manufacturing, importing or dealing in illegal drugs.

“With that in mind the Liberal Democrats will be releasing a report of independent experts in the coming weeks talking about the issue.”

His comments have sparked fierce opposition from aspiring police and crime commissioner Peter McCall, who called them ‘unbelievable populist nonsense’.

Mr McCall said: “It’s a great disappointment if one of our MPs, and someone who leads a party, is taking that line.”

The Conservative candidate said he believed decriminalisation would lead to cannabis use becoming more widespread, and to dependence on more serious drugs.

He said: “There is evidence from Canada showing that cannabis use can impair learning ability in young people.

“We shouldn’t be playing fast and loose with the health of our children.”

Sandylands community support worker Jonny Gios also hit out at the proposal on Twitter, saying: “Medically it is proven that young people are more likely to move onto harder drugs if they use cannabis in their late teens and early 20s.”