Presidential hopeful Jeb Bush has admitted he used drugs 40 years ago.

The Florida Governor and brother of former President George W. Bush said in a candidate's debate on CNN last night that his Mother will be unhappy with him for sharing that piece of information.

He was responding to criticism from one of the other candidates, Rand Paul.

Paul accused Bush of hypocrisy on his drugs manifesto.

Bush responded in jocular fashion.

Rand Paul said one of the candidates on stage wanted tough drug laws, but had admitted smoking pot himself.

He didn't name him, but he was talking about Florida Governor Jeb Bush - something Bush himself confirmed.

Paul added that Bush's example tells people smoking pot is ok because it's a middle class choice, but those abusing hard drugs - which is mostly a working class issue - should be jailed.

Paul said Bush wanted to put "poor people in jail".

Presidents who did

Bush shouldn't worry too much though, this is a well-trodden path and shouldn't block his election. He has other bigger obstacles to overcome there.

Brother George never answered questions about whether he had smoked marijuana, but he did admit to using cocaine.

Barack Obama famously admitted openly during the 2008 Presidential campaign that he had smoked.

"When I was a kid, I inhaled, frequently. That was the point."

Bill Clinton was the butt of that joke. His half truth on the issue also became famous.

"I experimented with marijuana a time or two, and I didn't like it. I didn't inhale and never tried it again."

And JFK was also a fan, smoking to deal with severe back pain - according to various biographers and insiders.