(¥ What are Canadian traits and values in our blended society? (Y Beyoncé's ‘Lemonade’ should have won Album of the Year And more! The benefits of marijuana dispensaries > Their role in the legalization process Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor Meee is now a bigger business than ever before. As many US states and Canada prepare for full legalization, the industry has become a billion-dollar enterprise. Gone are the days when one had to buy weed from a sketchy dude on a street corner. In many areas, marijuana dispensaries are becoming more and more common, particularly in certain parts of Vancouver. If you are someone who uses or is considering using marijuana for whatever purpose, dispensaries are extremely beneficial. In addition to carrying many different strains, many of the dispensaries offer marijuana in some form you may not otherwise have access to, or even have heard of. Lots of dispensaries sell edibles, oils, pills, creams, and even bath bombs containing THC (the active ingredient that makes a user “high”). For those who don't like getting high and only use marijuana medicinally, some of the products contain little or no THC and only CBD, an ingredient that does not intoxicate the user or give other side effects. Whether one has never tried weed before or has tried just about every variation, dispensaries offer great advice, products, and knowledge of what exactly it is you're putting in your body. Most staff are also knowledgeable about the products (just like any specialty store) and can help with one’s specific treatment. Some people use marijuana for cancer treatment, and some simply to 4 giggle and watch cartoons. Dispensaries can offer the right product for both. The fentanyl crisis is a serious problem, particularly in Vancouver. Warnings of fentanyl in marijuana have been put out by police and government, but there is no actual evidence of the Image via www.ottawadispensary.net drug making its way into pot. However, marijuana from sketchy sources can be laced with all sorts of things (even if less fatal than fentanyl) and knowing the source for any drug is very important. Most dispensaries will only sell products bought directly from the grower. They also test all of their products, and take safety seriously. It’s not just the knowledge that the weed isn’t laced with fentanyl (or any other drug), it’s detailed knowledge of what a user is putting into their body. Many places offer not just strain names, but also knowledge of the specific effects on the user, and THC/CBD percentages. Vancouver has over 100 dispensaries, with many operating illegally without a licence. While the city has upped enforcement, and handed out tickets frequently in the last year, many question the value in coming down on products that will soon be legal across Canada. I believe accessibility to cannabis in all of its forms is important, and that dispensaries are subject to much greater restrictions than other businesses (such as a much higher licencing fee). As Canada moves towards legalization, it is my hope that dispensaries will continue to flourish across the country. Dispensaries are essential for public safety and as a model for how drug legalization works when put into practice. ‘Fifty Shades of Grey’ promotes unsafe practices and all kinds of abuse > Please don’t support this franchise Cazzy Lewchuk Opinions Editor espite being critically panned and literally originating as a “Twilight” fanfiction, the erotic “romance” Fifty Shades series went on to sell over 100 million copies and is being turned into an entire movie trilogy, with part two in theatres now. The story follows Anastasia Steele, an innocent college student who becomes involved with Christian Grey, a troubled billionaire who introduces her to his twisted BDSM desires. It’s not just that the series isn’t romantic; Fifty Shades promotes unsafe practices, unhealthy relationships, and physical and sexual abuse. Most of the activities depicted are dangerous and inaccurate. BDSM practitioners heavily emphasize consent and boundaries, something often disregarded in the franchise. The books promote full-on violence, including rape, at several points. Christian repeatedly goes past the boundaries of what Anastasia has agreed to, including having sex with her against her will (the literal definition of rape). He insults and berates her, and physically abuses her in a non-sexual or consensual context. It is worth noting that the more violent and non-consensual aspects of the story were removed for the movie adaptations. This was done to give the movie an R-rating instead of NC-17, but also because the filmmakers probably recognized just how wrong those actions really were. However, supporting the movie supports the franchise as a whole, and normalizes the series’ “romantic” portrayal of an abusive relationship. Anastasia’s distrust of Christian is a central theme of the series, but the storyline is still obviously portrayed Image via Thinkstock as romantic instead of frightening. Christian Grey’s backstory involves an abusive childhood, causing him to have these violent desires and behaviour. This is not reflective of most BDSM practitioners, or those with abusive pasts, nor should it be romanticized. Christian Grey is an abusive partner with traits that are made out to be desirable instead of disturbing. So many people who enjoy this franchise are inspired to do these things that are not normal or okay. The inaccuracy presented in the BDSM practices alone can lead to dangerous situations, and glamourizing abusive relationships encourages others to fall prey to this behaviour. One should also avoid the Fifty Shades franchise as a whole, because quite frankly, it’s terrible. The writing is painfully boring and not sexy in any way, and the actors have been heavily criticized in their performances and chemistry. There’s very little to like about it, besides a soundtrack that’s actually pretty great. It may be hyped up and popular, but Fifty Shades is still terrible, and deeply problematic in so much of its portrayals of pretty much everything.