London, Oct 23 : American musician John Mayer has defended his decision to sing about smoking marijuana in his new single.

Mayer, 32, is releasing `Who Says' as the first song from his new album `Battle Studies', which boldly begins with the question, "Who says I can't get stoned?"

And he hopes his controversial lyrics will spark debate among listeners as to why the drug has yet to be legalised in the U. S.

"It's not a dirty word. It's not a curse word. It's a presentation of an idea that makes people think a little harder about what they're listening to, which I don't think is the worst thing in the world," the Daily Star quoted him as telling PopEater. com. (ANI)