Legal or not, there are dangers in using drugs
Dr. Wallace: I’m sick and tired of your put-down of those who recreationally smoke marijuana. OK, it’s against the law, but this is a stupid law. I enjoy three or four joints a week and they bring me great pleasure. Alcohol is a depressant and gets you drunk. Marijuana gives the smoker a gentle high. If you don’t believe me, I’ll send you a few joints so you can see for yourself. Take up my offer and enjoy. I’d be thrilled to have you as a fellow “pothead.” Once you are hooked and become a convert, you will then print the truth about marijuana and then through your column help promote the use of marijuana so we eventually get it legalized. When that day comes it will be the happiest day of my life. I’m sure you either smoke tobacco products or consume alcohol, or both. Smoking pot then would be a healthier switch. — Bill, Hobart, Ind.
Bill: For the moment, let’s forget that marijuana is an illegal drug. By virtue of the fact that it is primarily ingested by smoking, it’s dangerous. Any time you put smoke in your lungs, you do harm to them and risk longterm damage to your health.
I’m in favor of natural highs — communing with nature, sharing love, helping the less fortunate, owning a pet and, yes, being a Chicago Cubs fan. I don’t need to try marijuana to know I don’t want to smoke it.
I know a lot of die-hard Cub fans who thought about trying pot to escape the boredom of losing, but, thank goodness, they don’t have to think about trying pot since the Cubs won the 2016 World Series. Miracles do happen!
Dr. Wallace: I’m 18 and going with a guy
ROBERT WALLACE
who is 19. I really care for him very much, but I wish that I didn’t. He is not a nice person and he doesn’t treat me well. He has never hit me, but he regularly slaps me, sometimes on my arms and sometimes on my face. I think the reason I like him so much is that he is really handsome and all my girlfriends think that he is a “dream.” Do you think that I might be able to change him into a “nice” guy? If I did, I’d have a great boyfriend. — Joy, Ames, Iowa.
Joy: This guy is not a “dream!” He’s a “Nightmare!” You would be very foolish to continue dating this jerk just because he is really “handsome.”
Never be subjected to physical abuse from anyone at any time!
Dr. Wallace: Please, please, answer my letter. I really and truly do love potatoes, but I’m on a diet and my mom won’t allow me to eat them. I’ve told her that my teacher says they are not fattening, but my mom won’t believe me — so “no potatoes.”
She always reads your column, so please print my letter and remind her that potatoes are not fattening. — Sarah, Crown Point, Ind.
Sarah: Potatoes are a super food, chock-full of vitamins and nutrients and only 80 calories for one medium-size potato.
The real diet wreckers are gravy, butter, sour cream, and those potatoes that are fried, creamed, or sauced!