If there's one important thing to like about Brad Pitt -- and there are many likable traits to choose from -- it's the fact that the celebrated actor uses his celebrity power to do good things for people and the world.

When MTV News caught up with Pitt recently during the press day for "Killing Them Softly," his upcoming crime-thriller-with-a-message, we asked for his thoughts on the socially progressive results in the recent election on the issues of legalizing gay marriage -- a cause Pitt publicly supports -- and marijuana in some states.

"Equality, absolutely, that's what defines us. It's what makes us great," Pitt said when asked about what he thinks about Maine, Maryland and Washington legalizing gay marriage. "If it doesn't sit well with your religion, let your God sort it out in the end, but that's us. We're equal."

One thing that has Pitt scratching his head, however, is the fact that gay marriage and the legalization of marijuana are being linked together in the media.

"I don't understand that," he said, adding that the two issues should be treated with equal but separate importance and media coverage. "I do believe that we should be responsible for our own choices in talking about the drug laws, and that the drug war is an ultimate failure and that the billions and billions of dollars that we've committed to it, there's got to be a better way. I don't believe in incarceration over education -- don't get me started. But there's real damage to drugs; that is not the same as with gay marriage. Since the last round [of elections], they've been linked in every article. I find that curious."

And while the actor/philanthropist has no problem continuing to talk about and bring public awareness to the issues, he's dreading the time when he has to have the "Say No to Drugs" conversation with his children.

"I think there's an age of understanding and there's a reason why there are no old drug addicts: It either kills you or you get out," he said. "I'm going to leave it at that point right there."