Rhys Ifans thinks marijuana is a "beneficial herb" and should be legalised.

The actor - who is currently filming "Mr. Nice", a biopic of notorious drug smuggler Howard Marks - can't understand why the narcotic is illegal, insisting it should be allowed under supervised use.

He said: "A lot of people like dope in Wales and Howard is its champion. The reason why he sold is because he thinks, and I agree, that it's a beneficial herb.

"I feel marijuana should be legalised. Not so that people get high all over the place, but so it can be controlled. Drugs have been legal longer than they have been illegal, and it's just hypocrisy to be able to sell alcohol to children while marijuana is illegal."

The "Notting Hill" star also claims he loves paying tax and doesn't mind how much he has to pay.

He added to Live magazine: "I pay a lot of taxes and I'm happy for the government to take as much as they want off me, just as long as it goes to the right people. It makes sense."

Earlier this year, Marijuana was re-classified as a class B drug in Rhys' native UK, having been downgraded to class C in 2004.

(China Daily/Agencies, March 16, 2009)