Canadian-born rock star Neil Young has said his application for US citizenship has been delayed partly because he smokes marijuana. Young says he passed the citizenship test but was told he had to take another to prove “moral character”.

In April, the US government clarified that using marijuana and other drugs was a “bar to establishing good moral character for naturalisation”. Young, who turns 74 this week, has lived in the US since the mid-1960s. In a post on his website, Young described passing the citizenship test after “a conversation where I was asked many questions” that he “answered truthfully”.

“I want to be a dual citizen and vote,” he said. “Recently however, I have been told I must do another test, due to my use of marijuana.” On 19 April, the US Department of Homeland Security issued a policy alert clarifying that “violation of federal controlled substance law, including for marijuana, remains a conditional bar to establishing good moral character for naturalisation even where that conduct would not be an offence under state law”. California, where Young lives, legalised cannabis for recreational use in 2018.(BBC)...[+]