Branson says parents should smoke with kids

CHICAGO — British billionaire Richard Branson says if kids are going to smoke marijuana, their parents should join them.

The Chicago Tribune reported the Virgin Group founder told an audience of entrepreneurs in Chicago on Tuesday that if their kids are “going to have a joint, do it with them.” He adds, “Don’t let them sneak off and do it on their own.”

The 66-year-old father of two was responding to a question about how he ensured his children learned values.

The eccentric businessman told GQ in 2007 he had smoked marijuana with his son, saying “I’d rather my son did it in front of me than behind closed doors.”