cannabisnews.com: Thanks For Your Generous Letter Thanks For Your Generous Letter Posted by FoM on December 06, 1999 at 08:02:43 PT By Ann Landers - Creators Syndicate Source: Spokane.net Dear Ann Landers: I am writing to let you know what an influence your column had on my life. Twenty years ago, when I was in my early 20s, you printed a column about marijuana. You expressed concern that marijuana may have ``taken a generation of doers and turned them into a generation of dreamers.'' That single sentence was my wake-up call.I used to smoke pot daily. I somehow managed to get through college (barely) and hold down a job, but I didn't feel connected to anything, and I wasn't getting anywhere. Every night, I would get high, and write down in a journal all the things I planned to do. After reading your column, I realized I had been doing the same thing year after year and was getting nowhere. I decided at that moment I had to quit smoking pot.I can't begin to tell you how my life changed. I became bored with my party-animal boyfriend, and later married a wonderful man I wouldn't have looked at twice while I was hanging out with the doper crowd. I went back to school, earned a master's degree and got an excellent position with a Fortune 500 company. Not only did my work life and love life improve drastically, but I also developed some badly needed self-esteem. It was your column on marijuana that helped me turn my life around, and I want to write a belated ``thank you.'' -- Margie in TennesseeDear Tennessee: I very much appreciate your generous letter. Please keep reading for one that should be of special interest to you: Dear Ann Landers: Last fall my teenage son began smoking marijuana and was soon totally out of control. I sent him away to a special program for a short period of time. He is much better now, but I was heartsick at the time and could not understand how my son could have gotten into so much trouble.Two weeks ago, the truth came out, and I am furious.Last summer, I sent my two teenagers to visit their uncle and aunt across the country. I decided it would be a good way for my brother and his wife to get to know their niece and nephew. I also believed that my brother would be a good role model. I was mistaken. He and his wife smoked pot in front of my kids, offered it to them and made them promise not to tell me.My brother believes marijuana is not harmful, even though their oldest daughter has been in trouble with the law because of cocaine. I remember reading in your column a while back that most cocaine addicts start with pot. My brother and his wife insist there is no connection between their casual use of pot and their child's current problems.I now believe that my brother and his wife contributed to my son's problems, and am considering suing them for the cost of the special program I put my son in. My friends and family say I should forgive them because no long-term harm was done. I am so angry about this that I am considering a break with the entire family. Please advise. -- A Canadian MomDear Mom: A pox on your brother and his wife for introducing your son to marijuana. Be thankful the ``special program'' was a success, and forget about a lawsuit and becoming estranged from the entire family. Mass retaliation is never a good idea. It is rooted in the wish to get even and could invite an ongoing battle, which nobody wins.Next summer, see that your son has a local job, and keep your eye on the companions he hangs out with. This is the best insurance that he will not go down that disastrous road. Good luck.Published: December 6, 1999Spokane.net Home Comment Email Register Recent Comments Help Comment #7 posted by FoM on December 06, 1999 at 22:53:49 PT Military Officer Guy Opps! I called you Military Man! Sorry it's late and I'm tired and am calling it a day! Peace, FoM! [ Post Comment ] Comment #6 posted by FoM on December 06, 1999 at 22:51:24 PT Thanks Military Man! You didn't flame me you were showing discust and I understand. I know that news can be really depressing and this articles is like something out of the old reefer madness era. Creative people smoke pot. Look at a few of them! Let's see Woody Harrelson, Bill Maher, the author of Platoon, ( I can't think of his name at the moment ) and many more that I can't think of now. I really hope someone writes a letter to Ann Landers and it gets published because it is an untruthful statement.PS: I want to make the readers of Cannabis News happy with the articles and if no one tells me, how will I be able to make it better? I need advice and surely don't mind it! Thanks Military Man! [ Post Comment ] Comment #5 posted by military officer guy on December 06, 1999 at 21:46:39 PT not busting on FoM, sorry.. hey everyone, as i've posted many times here in the past, i am a military officer, and i do support the legalization for many uses of marijuana, including recreational...but i also do support the right of free speach...i didn't mean to flame FoM, i too was laughing at how stupid most people are with this subject...FoM, I'm the one that should apologize...we can win this war everyone, it's up to us to keep fighting... [ Post Comment ] Comment #4 posted by Grow-A-Bunga on December 06, 1999 at 17:45:45 PT Please continue.... To print this type of things it helps me keep in touch with how the rest of the world feels.thanks Gab [ Post Comment ] Comment #3 posted by FoM on December 06, 1999 at 16:52:46 PT Why I posted this I posted the article because it was so wrong. I know letter writers will probably write Ann Landers and maybe get published. The news is really hard to post sometimes but I would be censoring it if I didn't post it I think. I was afraid that people would think I agree with some of these articles and many I don't but it is wise to know your enemies so you can have the right knowledge to counter them. If it upsets people I won't post articles like this. Just tell me and I will stop.Peace, FoM and I'm sorry if I offended anyone with this post. [ Post Comment ] Comment #2 posted by Frustrated on December 06, 1999 at 16:22:39 PT know thy "enemy"... (or neighbor)... While i agree with military officer guy that this insipid letter to Ann Landers ought not to be published, it does point out what the majority of Americans apparently believe (hard as that may be to understand). I have never understood people who force others to do things "for their own good"---infringing on someone's personal beliefs/freedom may actually be the worse of 2 evils. I think the only "crime" of the aunt and uncle was not recognizing the (im)maturity level of the boy and entrusting him with their confidence. An older, more mature person would most likely be able to handle smoking pot---pot is not the only thing that most immature people overindulge in (coffee, alcohol, fast driving, loud music---and any other stereotype you care to choose). We all need to be smart---and wake up to the reality of our actions. [ Post Comment ] Comment #1 posted by military officer guy on December 06, 1999 at 14:55:42 PT what the heck... i've been reading this page for many many months now, and have learned a great deal of info from the articles posted here...i have also heard both sides of all topics, not agreeing with their side most of the time, if not all of the time, but this article was so stupid...please don't post anything like this again...i have lost any respect that i might have had in Ann Landers... [ Post Comment ] Post Comment Name: Optional Password: E-Mail: Subject: Comment: [Please refrain from using profanity in your message] Link URL: Link Title: