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Singer Joss Stone has been condemned for glamourising drugs after an astonishing diatribe in which she claimed cannabis is less harmful than alcohol.
She also trivialised the dangers of harder 'more horrible' drugs, which she described as 'fun'.
The 22-year-old has enraged anti-drug campaigners after it was suggested she made the comments in a desperate attempt to drum up publicity for her new album.
It follows an admission last year by singer Lily Allen that cocaine abuse was 'not a problem' and that the risks of were overstated.
Asked if she took drugs herself, Stone told Star Magazine: 'I smoke weed, but I dont think its really a drug.
'Its more of a herb. I dont regret saying that at all. I think everyone smokes weed and people who say they dont are lying!'
The Devon-born star, who has had a string of number one singles, said that her parents were aware that she still smoked the drug regularly but that they didn't mind because, 'they smoked weed when they were younger'.
She dismissed the dangers of cannabis, despite ministers upgrading the drug from a class C to class B drug last year saying it was 'like having a drink'.
Asked if she smoked everyday she replied: 'It depends if Im working, and on what song. And whether its a smoking studio or not! Its like having a drink.
'Weed has been given this evil stamp, but how is it dangerous? Its going to make you laugh your arse off? You might go to sleep? I think alcohol is much more harmful.
'People beat the f**k out of each other on alcohol. But I dont smoke weed all day long.
'I live in Devon and hardly ever go to clubs. When I do, Ill drink three or four beers then move on to a vodka. I dont want to take all those horrible drugs. Although some sound fun, so I might dabble now and then!'
She was unapologetic about her outburst adding: 'Im very honest and Ive been punished for that over and over again. Every time I say what I think I get s*** for it. But that wont stop me from being an honest person.'
Stone shot to fame in 2003 after her debut album became an instant hit and she won two Brit Awards in 2005. In 2006 became the youngest woman on the Sunday Times Rich List with a fortune of around £6million.
The Devon-born singer has always cultivated a hippy image and in 2007 she was widely criticised for speaking in a fake American drawl when she arrived on stage to present an award.
She quickly developed a reputation for her diva behaviour and her latest album also features a hidden bonus track which is full of expletives aimed at her ex-boyfriend.
Her comments, which come just weeks after she released the album, brought a furious response from David Raynes, head of the National Drugs Prevention Alliance.
He said: 'She should consider the effects that her comments have on other people, especially young fans who look up to her.
'People like Joss Stone should keep their mouths shut about things like this.
star magazine
Read the full story in this week's Star magazine - out today
It is terribly damaging and she clearly hasn't considered the wider effects of the drug, although she clearly didn't get to become a pop star because she is a student of social sciences.
'We already have a drug culture in the UK and she is simply adding to that.'
Her comments follow those of Lily Allen, who in January this year said that the risks of cocaine were overstated.
The singer, 24 at the time, said: 'The only story is that drugs are bad and they will kill you - you will become a prostitute, a rapist or a dealer. But that's not true.
'I know lots of people that take cocaine three nights a week and get up and go to work everyday, no problem at all.'
Her comments also come weeks after Professor David Nutt was sacked as the government's drugs advisor for controversially claiming that cannabis, Ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/y8n8pmt
She also trivialised the dangers of harder 'more horrible' drugs, which she described as 'fun'.
The 22-year-old has enraged anti-drug campaigners after it was suggested she made the comments in a desperate attempt to drum up publicity for her new album.
It follows an admission last year by singer Lily Allen that cocaine abuse was 'not a problem' and that the risks of were overstated.
Asked if she took drugs herself, Stone told Star Magazine: 'I smoke weed, but I dont think its really a drug.
'Its more of a herb. I dont regret saying that at all. I think everyone smokes weed and people who say they dont are lying!'
The Devon-born star, who has had a string of number one singles, said that her parents were aware that she still smoked the drug regularly but that they didn't mind because, 'they smoked weed when they were younger'.
She dismissed the dangers of cannabis, despite ministers upgrading the drug from a class C to class B drug last year saying it was 'like having a drink'.
Asked if she smoked everyday she replied: 'It depends if Im working, and on what song. And whether its a smoking studio or not! Its like having a drink.
'Weed has been given this evil stamp, but how is it dangerous? Its going to make you laugh your arse off? You might go to sleep? I think alcohol is much more harmful.
'People beat the f**k out of each other on alcohol. But I dont smoke weed all day long.
'I live in Devon and hardly ever go to clubs. When I do, Ill drink three or four beers then move on to a vodka. I dont want to take all those horrible drugs. Although some sound fun, so I might dabble now and then!'
She was unapologetic about her outburst adding: 'Im very honest and Ive been punished for that over and over again. Every time I say what I think I get s*** for it. But that wont stop me from being an honest person.'
Stone shot to fame in 2003 after her debut album became an instant hit and she won two Brit Awards in 2005. In 2006 became the youngest woman on the Sunday Times Rich List with a fortune of around £6million.
The Devon-born singer has always cultivated a hippy image and in 2007 she was widely criticised for speaking in a fake American drawl when she arrived on stage to present an award.
She quickly developed a reputation for her diva behaviour and her latest album also features a hidden bonus track which is full of expletives aimed at her ex-boyfriend.
Her comments, which come just weeks after she released the album, brought a furious response from David Raynes, head of the National Drugs Prevention Alliance.
He said: 'She should consider the effects that her comments have on other people, especially young fans who look up to her.
'People like Joss Stone should keep their mouths shut about things like this.
star magazine
Read the full story in this week's Star magazine - out today
It is terribly damaging and she clearly hasn't considered the wider effects of the drug, although she clearly didn't get to become a pop star because she is a student of social sciences.
'We already have a drug culture in the UK and she is simply adding to that.'
Her comments follow those of Lily Allen, who in January this year said that the risks of cocaine were overstated.
The singer, 24 at the time, said: 'The only story is that drugs are bad and they will kill you - you will become a prostitute, a rapist or a dealer. But that's not true.
'I know lots of people that take cocaine three nights a week and get up and go to work everyday, no problem at all.'
Her comments also come weeks after Professor David Nutt was sacked as the government's drugs advisor for controversially claiming that cannabis, Ecstasy and LSD are less dangerous than alcohol or cigarettes.
hxxp://tinyurl.com/y8n8pmt