DR. WALLACE: I'm a college student, and my roommate loves to smoke cannabis and he also chews the "edibles" like they are M&M candies.

I sometimes see him drive his automobile just minutes after he has one of his hourlong "smoke-fests," and so I politely told him the other day that he should be careful and not be driving while he's high on cannabis.

His reply to me was pretty snarky, and what he mainly pointed out to me was that he never drinks even one drop of alcohol, so that gives him immunity from "drunk driving" tickets or arrests. He said that he can walk a straight line if he gets asked to walk for a police officer and that he'd blow a "zero point zero" into a breathalyzer test, so he has absolutely nothing to worry about. Is this true? Can he legally smoke all the weed he wants to then legally drive anywhere he wishes with total immunity? — His Doubtful Roommate, via email

HIS DOUBTFUL ROOMMATE: Absolutely not! He has no immunity at all, and in fact, he's at risk for an arrest for "driving while impaired," or DWI, which is basically the same as a DUI (driving under the influence).

This can be due to any drug such as cannabis, cocaine, heroin or any other substance that may impair a driver's ability to safely operate a motor vehicle. This means that DUI laws are not just for alcohol. Driving under the influence of a substance that impairs driving reaction time and accuracy is also dangerous and illegal. Driving a motor vehicle is a very complex undertaking that requires full attention, alertness and safe reaction times whenever driving on our roadways. Cannabis affects areas of the brain that controls coordination, judgment and body movements, to name a few. These areas are essential to safely operating a motor vehicle. A person under the influence of cannabis may experience slowed reaction times, a slower decision-making process as well as decreased coordination and perception of the movements seen out of the front windshield. All these impairments can indicate to a police officer that a driver has been "driving while impaired" even though the driver has not consumed a single drop of alcohol.

MY TEETH REQUIRE HELP RIGHT AWAY!

DR. WALLACE: I'm a freshman girl in high school and would like to get braces soon because my teeth are crooked and I'm embarrassed to smile because when I do, my crooked teeth show. However, my parents tell me that they can't afford an orthodontist to put a full set of braces in my mouth. Is there anything else I can do that might help me out? Do you have any suggestions I could at least consider? — I Need Straight Teeth, via email

I NEED STRAIGHT TEETH: To keep costs down, you can consider a retainer or an aligner, which is a "tray" device to be worn over your teeth, especially at night during your sleeping hours. But these devices may only apply to mild and some moderate cases.

To find out where you stand, check with a local orthodontist and explain your financial situation. Then you can even get a local second opinion and compare all your findings. Ask questions of each about retainers and aligners so that you can garner a professional's opinion and reaction, given your specific case.

There are some businesses out there that may offer interest-free financing options, so you can keep that in mind as well.

In my opinion, it's worth pursuing any options to straighten your teeth as positive results, once achieved, will make you feel better, be more self-confident and less self-conscious. You'll also find flossing your teeth easier, and your gums will benefit as well.

Dr. Robert Wallace welcomes questions from readers. Although he is unable to reply to all of them individually, he will answer as many as possible in this column. Email him at [email protected]. To find out more about Dr. Robert Wallace and read features by other Creators Syndicate writers and cartoonists, visit the Creators Syndicate website at www.creators.com.

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