Kevin Smith: 'Weed helps me write films'

Kevin Smith has claimed that smoking marijuana has made him a better filmmaker.

The Zack and Miri Make a Porno writer/director admitted to smoking cannabis joints up to three times a day after star Seth Rogen introduced him to the drug last year.

He joked to the New York Post: "I know you're supposed to tell kids not to do drugs, but, kids, do it! Do weed! Don't do the other stuff, but weed is good... What you want to do is what I did, build a movie empire and, at age 38, smoke it all away."

Smith went on to confess that his style of 'bromantic' comedy has now been overtaken by fellow comedic helmer Judd Apatow.

He added: "Judd Apatow is way better at being Kevin Smith now than Kevin Smith ever was. So Judd Apatow should do it for a while, and I should figure out something else, and weed has been f**king helpful with that."

The 39-year-old is currently directing upcoming police comedy A Couple of Dicks with Bruce Willis and Tracy Morgan, due for release in February 2010.