ILLEGAL HIGHS

While A-listers might be happy to flaunt their fondness for the drug, without any apparent harm to their image, most people have to be more careful, especially as the drug is illegal here in the UK. The former Labour government downgraded cannabis from a Class B to Class C drug in 2004, meaning possession no longer resulted in prosecution – but that only lasted until 2008, when it was restored to Class B. Now, anyone caught in possession of cannabis faces penalties ranging from a police caution for a first offence, an unlimited fine or up to five years in prison, along with a criminal record.

So while most of us will happily talk about our drinking exploits, smoking dope remains a more covert habit. “My close friends know and if they disapprove they’ve never mentioned it,” says Helen. “I’d never tell my parents or brother, though – they’re pretty conservative and would be quite shocked and worried. They’re proud of what I’ve achieved and my professional status means a lot to them.”

Scared of it affecting her career prospects, Helen goes to extra lengths to disguise her habit from work. “I wash my hair every morning so that I don’t go to work smelling of weed. And everything to do with smoking – weed, papers, tobacco – stays safely at home.”

Likewise, Natalie’s afterwork habit isn’t exactly water cooler conversation. “It isn’t something I’d discuss at work, unless it was with a colleague I knew well,” she says. “Among friends, I judge by the individual whether or not I’ll smoke in their presence. And if my GP asked about drugs I wouldn’t say anything about my smoking – it’s private, and I don’t believe it harms my health.”

But Dr Clare Gerada, a GP and specialist in substance abuse, believes that women like Helen and Natalie should think more carefully about their drug use. “I would worry about a woman coming home and smoking a joint in the same way that I’d worry about her drinking a gin and tonic. I’m not saying it’s going to kill them, but equally I will say don’t kid yourself if you think it’s not going to do you any harm.

“[When weed] is mixed with tobacco and smoked, the if the first thing you do after work has become a habit, then by definition, you’re running into problems.” Natalie brushes off these concerns. “If I ever had to give up smoking weed – say for health or work reasons, I’d be fine with that. But for now, as a way of coping with stress, it works just fine for me.” *All names have been changed long-term consequences are the same as smoking cigarettes, but worse, because it exacerbates the effects of tobacco [tar inhaled and the level of carbon monoxide absorbed by marijuana smokers is three to five times greater than among tobacco smokers], so you’re likely to get lung cancer and throat cancer, at a young age,” explains Dr Gerada. “Smoking five joints a day is like smoking 20 cigarettes, but even smoking two or three joints a day is increasing your risk of cancer.”

There is debate over the effects of cannabis on mental health, too. The number of hospital admissions for mental or behavioural issues due to cannabis rose from 651 in 2008/09 to 1,003 in 2011/12 – but this has been put down to an increasing prevalence of super-strength skunk, which now accounts for about 80% of the UK’s cannabis market and contains a much higher percentage of THC – the psychoactive ingredient in cannabis which makes you ‘high’. Scientists found people who had a psychotic episode were three times more likely to have used weed daily and 18 times more likely to use skunk.

Light users such as Helen and Natalie know to avoid skunk. “It’s chemically manufactured and incredibly strong,” says Natalie. “I know from my work with young people that it can have a detrimental effect and they can end up suffering from paranoia or psychosis. But as someone who is a light smoker of natural, non-powerful weed, I’ve had no ill effects.” There is also little hard evidence from health professionals to say cannabis is a “gateway” drug for stronger substances.

Some users argue that stress is more dangerous than smoking weed, but doctors say stress is not measurable against drug and alcohol misuse in terms of a health risk. The general consensus is that stress is mainly a danger because, if we let it, it can lead us to rely on substances.

And, says Dr Gerada, that’s where cannabis use can become a concern. “What women who think they’re stressed need to address is why they feel they have to use a chemical substance to alleviate worries. Whether its drugs or alcohol, if the first thing you do after work has become a habit, then by definition, you’re running into problems.”

Natalie brushes off these concerns. “If I ever had to give up smoking weed – say for health or work reasons, I’d be fine with that. But for now, as a way of coping with stress, it works just fine for me.”

*All names have been changed

Women turn to weed to relax