Hollywood actor-turned-California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger insists he was 'joking' when he said marijuana was "not a drug."

The Terminator star, 60, told British GQ that he had not taken drugs, even though he has acknowledged using marijuana in the 1970s and was shown smoking a joint in the 1977 documentary, Pumping Iron.

Now his press secretary, Aaron McLear, has spoken out in defence of Arnie, claiming that he made the comments in a light-hearted context.

McLear says: "The governor was doing an interview with the host of America's Got Talent (Piers Morgan), the newest version of the gong show.

"I think it's important to keep that quote in the context of the environment where it was said. Of course the governor understands marijuana is a drug.

“It's like when he goes on Leno or the Daily Show - if you took something like that out of context, it might seem shocking but it was in a silly entertainment context."

According to California law, those found in possession of a small amount of the marijuana face a misdemeanour charge and a maximum $100 fine.