Unasa Iuni Sapolu told the Samoa Observer that legalisation could help the country economically through exports for medicinal purposes.
Unasa said legalising the drug would also save the government money by reducing prison numbers.
She said the government would no longer have to pay to house and feed some drug offenders in prisons.
Unasa told the newspaper that the government could also boost revenue from tourism by allowing the recreational use of marijuana.
"It's just a plant, legalize it and reduce government indebtedness," she said.
