Saturday Night Live wunderkind Pete Davidson admits to being a pothead – and it's not by choice, but necessity.

The 22-year-old comic phenom who catapulted to stardom by landing a regular gig on the long-running NBC variety show is a regular marijuana user because it dulls the pain that comes with Crohn's Disease, he told High Times magazine.

'I wouldn't be able to do SNL if I didn't smoke weed,' he said. 'I wouldn't be able to do anything.'

Crohn's is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the digestive tract. It causes abdominal pain, diarrhea, and bloody stool.

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Pete Davidson, the 22-year-old comic who burst onto the national scene by landing a regular gig on Saturday Night Live, says he is a regular user of marijuana

Davidson says that his experience with prescription drugs forced him to look for alternatives that would help him function.

'I found that the things the doctors were prescribing me, and seeing all these doctors and trying new things, weed was the only thing that would help me eat,' he said.

'My stomach would be in pain all day and I wouldn't be able to eat, but then I'd smoke and I can eat and do my shows.'

The comic, whose deadpan delivery has made him a hit sensation, says that his marijuana habit doesn't mean that he fits the stereotype of a deadbeat smoker who doesn't put effort into his job.

Davidson, seen here attending the Comedy Central Roast of Rob Lowe at Sony Studios in Los Angeles on August 27, 2016, is also afflicted with Crohn's Disease

'I work really f---ing hard and I take care of my s--t and I need weed in order to do that,' he said.

He said that marijuana also enhances his comedic abilities. Taking the stage when he's not high would adversely impact his routine because he says he would be in so much pain.

Davidson began doing stand-up at 16 as a therapeutic outlet after his father's tragic death as a result of the terrorist attacks of September 11, 2001.

He was aged seven when his father, Scott Davidson, was killed as he climbed the steps to help the guests of the Marriott World Trade Center Hotel.

Scott, aged 33 when he died, was assigned to Ladder Co. 118 in Brooklyn Heights, which responded to the Trade Center site after the second hijacked airliner struck.

Davidson is almost the youngest SNL cast member in history, following 1980s stars Anthony Michael Hall, who came in at 16, and Eddie Murphy, who joined at 19.

Davidson (right) has appeared on SNL's signature fake news skit Weekend Update. Here he is seen with anchor and fellow cast member Michael Che

Davidson (center) says that comedy was a therapeutic outlet that made it easier to cope with the death of his father, a New York firefighter who died in the September 11 terrorist attacks

Davidson's career appears to have only benefited from marijuana. He is set to return for another season on SNL this Saturday and he has his own one-hour special on Comedy Central

He has previously been seen on MTV's Guy Code, Wild 'N Out, and Jimmy Kimmel Live.

Pete was featured in the Weekend Update sketch as himself commenting on a recent news item.

He will return for the 42nd season of SNL this Saturday night on NBC.