Irish musician Bressie is coming under fire after he called for cannabis to be legalised. In an interview the 'Voice of Ireland' judge admitted taking the drug adding that it does not kill.

The 32-year-old Mullingar native is quoted in Hot Press "I’m absolutely pro-legalisation. I’ve never been uncomfortable in the company of somebody who’s high on marijuana".

"Stress will kill you, cannabis won’t. Saying it can lead to other drugs is the weakest, most pathetic argument" he added.

Study claims college-drugs link

A recent study found college students who use marijuana and other illegal substances are more likely to leave school than students who do not dabble in drugs.

"There's a strong link between marijuana use and "discontinuous enrolment" said study author Dr. Amelia Arria, director of the Centre on Young Adult Health and Development at the University of Maryland School of Public Health.

"The same goes for other illicit drugs" she added.

In a recent issue of the Journal of Studies on Alcohol and Drugs Dr. Arria and her team reported that students with high levels of marijuana use (more than 17 days a month) were twice as likely as those with minimal use to have an enrolment gap while in college. But even students who used pot less often, in the range of three to 12 days a month, were more likely to experience enrolment gaps.

The Europe Against Drugs group has described Breslin's views as "highly irresponsible" and "misguided". Honourary President of the organisation is Grainne Kenny.