Toronto Mayor Rob Ford "smoked a lot" of marijuana

Though Toronto Mayor Rob Ford has been dismissing allegations that he smokes crack cocaine, he readily acknowledged this week that he has "smoked a lot" of marijuana.

In June, Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau called for legalization of the drug.

As the marijuana debate blows through Canada, the mayor of the country's largest city became the fourth politician in a week to admit using the drug.

"Oh yeah, I won't deny that," Ford laughed in response to the question of whether he had used marijuana. "I've smoked a lot of it."

Reporters' questions came Wednesday after Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne acknowledged she had smoked marijuana, though it was before she entered politics, "35 years ago."

Last week, New Democratic Party leader Thomas Mulcair acknowledged using marijuana but declined to specify when. Trudeau admitted he had smoked marijuana since becoming a member of parliament.

Rumors began circulating in March when two different media outlets reported on an alleged video showing Ford smoking crack. Though both outlets attempted to buy the video, it was not acquired and has never been released publicly. Ford denies the allegations and says he is not a crack addict.

Ford's brother Doug Ford defended his admission, saying the "vast majority" of Canadian politicians have smoked pot.