George Michael: marijuana "keeps me sane and happy"

George Michael praised marijuana and apparently smoked a joint during a recently taped television interview, prompting criticism from anti-drug campaigners Friday.

British television network ITV said the singer lit up while being interviewed for the arts program "The South Bank Show." The interview is due to be broadcast Oct. 31.

"This stuff keeps me sane and happy," Michael, 43, told the program.

"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."

A spokeswoman for "The South Bank Show" said the interview had been conducted in Madrid, Spain, where marijuana consumption is legal.

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