Ben Elton has described UK drugs law as the "number one sponsor of organised crime" in a speech in which he called for the legalisation of drugs.
The comedian and author told MSPs that UK drugs policies have failed and have only benefited a criminal underclass.
He said that through liberalisation the criminals' income and means of influence could be tackled.
Elton was invited to the Scottish Parliament after hearing about drugs problems in the north east of Scotland.
Addressing the parliament's cross-party group on alcohol and drug abuse, he highlighted the recent case of model Kate Moss's use of cocaine and what he described as hypocritical attitudes.
He said: "The real problem is not the drugs, it's the criminalisation of the community.
"And the fact is that this vast nation of social criminals, of whom you are all acquainted, is linked arterially to a corrosive, cancerous core of real criminals.
"One thing is certain, doing nothing is not an option"
"The law is effectively the number one sponsor of organised crime."
Elton, who said he does not take drugs, said prohibition in the US had resulted in organised crime networks which had plagued that society.
He said: "The logical answer appears to be legalising. One thing is certain, doing nothing is not an option."
An appearance on Channel 4's Richard and Judy show led to the invitation to the Scottish Parliament.
'Passionately believes'
Fellow guest, Fraserburgh minister the Reverend Stephen Brown, was intrigued by Elton's take on the drugs issue and raised the suggestion with his local MSP and cross-party group member Stewart Stevenson.
Rev Brown said: "As a minister, I have taken the funeral services of people in their 20s who have taken overdoses and have seen the unremitting tragedy of what drugs do to people and their families.
"When I got in touch with Ben to see if he would be interested in coming up to the Scottish Parliament, he said he was up for it on the understanding that he did not set himself up as any kind of expert but that he passionately believes that drugs legislation doesn't work.
"The reason he said yes is that he is doing it out of a sense of duty as a citizen to take the opportunity to have his say."
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