Hollywood star Jim Carrey has quit smoking marijuana in an attempt to become a better person.

The funnyman believes the drug is psychologically addictive, and has permanently quit smoking it to enable him to get to "a higher level".

He explains, "I think people underestimate the power of things like marijuana, the addictive quality. It's not that the substance itself is addictive; it's the stimulation of the pleasure centre of your brain. It becomes an easy way out, an instant vacation.

"I know people who have been stoned every day of their lives, for 50 years. They seem fine, but they are not getting to a higher level."

19/02/2004 21:20