George Michael has been blasted for praising marijuana as “a great drug” and smoking a joint in a recent television interview.
"This stuff keeps me sane and happy," the 43-year-old singer said in an interview for Britain’s ‘The South Bank Show’.
I'd say it's a great drug but obviously it's not very healthy. You can't afford to smoke it if you've got anything to do," he added.
His comments have drawn criticism from angry anti-drugs campaigners.
A spokesperson for mental health charity Rethink said the statements were "stupid and naive", while another from drug treatment charity Addaction said he was "concerned about the message this can send out to young people."
"Cannabis is illegal because it can be harmful, as can all drugs," he added.
George’s controversial interview was conducted in Madrid, Spain, were marijuana use is legal.
Last month, the singer was given a formal warning for possessing the drug after London police found him slumped over the steering wheel of his car.
