Samoan Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi says legalising marijuana would be akin to legalising murder.

Photo: RNZI/Autagavaia Tipi Autagavaia

His comments at a press conference on Thursday follow a call for a law change from lawyer Unasa Iuni Sapolu.

Unasa said legalisation could help the country economically and reduce prison numbers.

Tuilaepa said his government would not be legalising marijuana because it broke families up and affected people's health and safety.

He said most countries did not legalise the drug for safety reasons.

Tuilaepa said some countries allowed marijuana cultivation and distribution for medicinal purposes only and under very strict conditions.