A Magic Mushroom Dispensary

A Magic Mushroom Dispensary

In some countries, magic mushroom dispensary (fungi that contain the drug psilocybin) are legal. But in others, the drug is still illegal. Getting caught buying shrooms online or from street dealers outside of decriminalized regions can lead to serious legal repercussions.

That’s changing in places like Portland, where the country’s first over-the-counter mushroom shop is open. The business, called Chillum, sells fungi with names such as “Knobby Tops” and “Penis Envy,” as well as mushroom-infused products such as capsules, gummies and powders. It also offers mycology kits to help people grow their own fungi at home.

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The fungi vary in size, shape and color and can be labeled by place of origin. They cost anywhere from $10 for a gram to more than $200 for an ounce. Customers are required to show two forms of identification to buy the drugs, and must sign a form pledging they won’t eat or share them with anyone else.

Like cannabis, mushrooms can cause side effects such as anxiety or nausea. They can also trigger hallucinations or even psychosis. Taking them with other drugs such as alcohol or antidepressants may increase the risk of those effects, and can lead to serotonin syndrome, which can be fatal.

A spokesman for the Canadian police force that covers the province of Ontario said that while there have been raids of shops with names like Fun Guyz, House of Mush and Shroom City, more stores are opening than are being closed. He said the police force is “focused on dealing with drugs that are causing death and traumatic harm to our communities.”

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