AN American physician will join cannabis campaigners at a major event tomorrow (Friday, November 27).

Newcastle University will play host to the inaugural Cannabis Talks conference, organised by the Teesside Cannabis Club.

The event will see physician David Casarett MD speak about the role of cannabis in palliative care while other speakers will address the use of cannabis oil to treat cancer and the battle for the legalisation of marijuana for medical use.

John Holliday, founder of the Teesside Cannabis Club, said the event was the first in what he hoped would be a series of talks hosted throughout the region.

Prominent campaigner Mr Holliday said the club hoped to use the talks to present a “sensible and educational” discussion around the use of the class-B drug in the UK and spreading legalisation of it worldwide.

He said: “It’s a chance for the public to ask professionals about the facts.

“Using an approach of science and not stigma, we aim to highlight the benefits of a regulated market.”

Mr Holliday highlighted Colorado as an example of a state that has legalised cannabis and used it to boost revenue and jobs.

He added: “Our talks are designed to highlight not just the recreational or medicinal plight of the community but the need for industrialisation that could create jobs.

“According to one company, around 10,000 marijuana-related jobs have sprung up in Colorado in the past year.

“Some analysts project the creation of 200,000 jobs in 2015 – imagine if that was the North-East of England.”

The free event will take place from 6.30pm at Newcastle University’s Lecture Theatre 1 at the Herschel building.