The Magic Mushroom Dispensary in Winnipeg
The exterior of this storefront in Winnipeg’s Osborne Village neighborhood is painted withmagic mushroom dispensary artwork. Inside, customers are welcome to try a variety of mushrooms and edibles. There’s no sign of the business’s name and a menu displayed on two screens featuring options to buy psilocybin in the form of dried mushrooms, mushroom powders or mushrooms infused in various ways. Customers are required to show identification and there are limits on how much a person can buy.
Psychedelic Renaissance: The Role of Magic Mushroom Dispensaries
Dana Larsen, the owner of this shop, says he started selling mushrooms because of a growing demand from people looking for a more natural alternative to prescription drugs. He sells the mushrooms he grows and also mycology kits that can be used to grow your own.
He adds that he only sells what he’s confident in. He says he’s gotten a lot of support from the community, but some worry about his business model. He acknowledges that the federal government lists psilocybin as a Schedule III drug, which means it’s illegal to produce, sell and possess it.
Eugene Oscapella, a lawyer who specializes in drug policy, tells Global News that these shops may help normalize psilocybin, but he doesn’t think it’s the answer. He says it’s important for people to learn about the risks before trying any psychoactive substances.
He recommends buying mushrooms from a reputable seller with good reviews and a reputation for following quality manufacturing practices. He also suggests seeking out a harm reduction organization for guidance before experimenting with any drug, especially psychedelics.