A NORTH-EAST pensioner dying from liver cancer is begging the authorities to legalise cannabis.

Days after the Government issued a damning response to campaigners, a terminally ill woman has backed growing calls to decriminalise the class-B drug.

In response to a pro-legalisation petition with more than 200,000 signatures, the government issued a statement earlier this week outlining the alleged dangers of cannabis use, saying legalisation would “send the wrong message”.

The pensioner, who does not wish to be identified, has criticised the Government’s stance, saying the opposition is hypocritical given the fact they allow pharmaceutical companies in the UK to harvest the plants.

The woman, from the south Durham area, is one of a growing number of ailing pensioners turning to cannabis oil in a bid to alleviate symptoms from a variety of ailments.

The 63-year-old credits marijuana with slowing the growth of her cancer and allowing her to live out her days pain-free.

However, the respectable pensioner is currently forced to pay £600-£800 every three weeks to a black market contact who supplies her with a small quantity of cannabis oil.

Calling on the government to allow people to grow cannabis for personal use, she said many of those battling ill health were struggling to access and afford their illicit medication.

She said: “My cancer is terminal but my doctor has been amazed with how little it has grown since I began using cannabis oil.

“I’d never used it before but I don’t want to die, I’m only young and I’ll do what I can.

“I had chemo and it was horrendous, I’m still suffering side effects – I don’t get those with the oil, I feel better and can get out and about again.

“I’m gutted they won’t do anything about this – I have to pay hundreds for a tiny amount and I can’t buy it from the internet as I won’t know what’s in it.

“If they legalise it, they can tax it and make sure it’s safe but they won’t fight for people like us and it makes me cry to think about it.”

She added: “If people like David Cameron were in pain and needed it, I’m sure they’d legalise it straight away.”

The 200,000-strong petition came after PCC Ron Hogg said in July that Durham Constabulary had stopped pro-actively targeting cannabis users.

Any petition that reaches 100,000 signatures is eligible to be debated in Parliament.

The date for the cannabis legalisation debate has not yet been announced.