Rob Ford refuses to be drawn on when he last used cannabis but denies using crack cocaine

This article is more than 7 years old

This article is more than 7 years old

Toronto mayor Rob Ford has admitted that he has smoked plenty of marijuana.

Taking questions from reporters after a campaign address on Wednesday, Ford was asked if he had smoked the drug.

"Oh yeah," he said chuckling. "I won't deny that. I smoked a lot of it." Ford did not answer when asked how recently he had smoked it.

The mayor made world news earlier this year amid allegations that he was caught on video smoking crack cocaine. The video has not been released publicly and Ford has refused to leave office.

He has denied the allegations, saying: "I do not use crack cocaine, nor am I an addict of crack cocaine."

Three years ago, Ford admitted that he was charged with driving under the influence and marijuana possession in Florida in the 1990s.

At first he denied the allegations, but later pleaded "no contest" to the impaired driving charge and the drug charge was dropped.

Ford was pressed about his marijuana consumption after Liberals leader Justin Trudeau admitted that he puffed on a joint three years ago, while a member of parliament. Trudeau has said pot should be regulated and legalised.

Ontario premier Kathleen Wynne also said Wednesday that she smoked a little pot about 35 years ago.