As marijuana becomes a mainstream drug, psychedelic mushrooms are slowly moving from the margins to the center. One Vancouver shop that specializes in the little-understood fungus has become a gathering spot for aging hippies and solitary businessmen to browse through glass cases of strains with names like Jedi Mind Trick and Penis Envy. Inside, a nurse helps customers pick a product that suits their needs, whether it’s to relax or boost energy.

The psilocybin-containing mushrooms are legally available in Canada through online retailers including Schedule35, Mungus Shrooms and The Third Wave. But finding a reliable place to buy can be tricky as laws are not always clear and sellers can be shady. Find out magicmushroomsdispensary.ca

To evade the law, some mushroom dispensaries operate through loopholes like religious freedom exemptions and gifting programs. And digital sellers proliferate on social media, hawking their wares under cloaks of secrecy. Those who choose to buy at these shops have to flash an ID, sign a health form and leave a Google review.

A New Frontier: Navigating the Legality and Regulation of Magic Mushroom Dispensaries

A recent legal change has allowed some stores to start selling “magic” mushrooms, though not technically psilocybin. Chillum, a dispensary in Florida run by Carlos Hermida, has started carrying Amanita muscaria instead of the outlawed psilocybin. Hermida says he’s prepared for a legal crackdown but hopes his experiment will encourage other dispensaries to push the boundaries of regulatory limits.

Another Oregon store called Epic Healing Eugene has a similar setup. The psychedelic mushroom-infused drinks, which contain the active ingredient psilocybin, are called Zoomers and come in flavors like chamomile lavender tea and green tea honey. The drinks are less potent than the psilocybin-infused chocolate bars that are popular in the TikTok app, but the co-owner says they are just as effective at relaxing and invigorating.