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'Legalise dope for better world'
26/11/2007 13:55 - (SA)
Los Angeles - Take That star Howard Donald has demanded "cannabis be legalised".
The 39-year-old singer sparked outrage by insisting the drug is less harmful than alcohol, and believes if everyone got "stoned" the world would be a better place.
Howard - who is recovering after his lung collapsed while on tour in Milan in October - said: "Cannabis should be legalised.
"If more people went out stoned than drunk I think there would be less fighting, less trouble, and less violence."
But anti-drugs campaigners have slammed the pop star's "irresponsible" claims as "rubbish", because cannabis use can trigger serious mental illness.
Gail McCann, of Mothers Against Drugs, said: "Anyone who can tell you cannabis is safe, is talking rubbish. It can cause psychosis and paranoia.
"I'd like Take That to see the work we do and ask if they'd like to donate some of the millions they earn to drug treatment."
It is not the first time Howard has spoken openly about drugs.
He previously admitted: "As a band we dabbled with ecstasy and liked the odd spliff, but who doesn't?"
Regular cannabis use
Howard's band mate Gary Barlow has previously admitted to regular cannabis use.
Last year, Gary said: "In 2000 when I was dropped as a solo artist I was smoking 15 spliffs a day.
"At the end of the night, I would smoke only half my last joint so when I woke up I could have the other half before reality set in."
The band - which is also made up of Mark Owen and Jason Orange, and Robbie Williams before he left in 1995 - sold 25 million records worldwide in the early 1990s before splitting in 1996.
Last year, they reunited for a hugely successful world tour and hit comeback album Beautiful World. - Bang Showbiz.com
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South Africa
