For those interested in trying psilocybin, or “magic mushrooms,” a dispensary offers a safe, regulated way to do so. The plants are not physically addictive and have not been shown to cause psychological dependence, but they can trigger psychedelic effects such as hallucinations, confusion, nausea and dilated pupils. In general, they are safer than MDMA, cocaine, alcohol or cannabis.

Magicmushroomsdispensary.ca are marketed as an alternative to marijuana and are sold legally in dispensaries with names like Fun Guyz, Shroom City and House of Mushrooms. In Toronto, a mural of rainbow fungus covers the exterior of a storefront called Mushroomyz. The company also sells mushroom-infused chocolate bars, gummies and other products. For those just starting out, the company has microdosing capsules that contain only a small amount of active ingredient.

From Ancient Rituals to Modern Practices: The History of Magic Mushrooms

In Oregon, where recreational psilocybin use is legal, shops such as Epic Healing Eugene and Omnia Group Ashland have long waitlists to experience the drug under licensed supervision. The Oregon Psilocybin Services Section spent two years setting up regulations to allow a licensed service center to open this year.

But while a mushroom co-op has opened in Vancouver, Canada, many dispensaries operate openly, even as they await federal approval for their psilocybin business. Darren Lyman, owner of a magic mushroom co-op in Portland, is among them. He has been selling mushrooms for a year, and his shop has a mosaic of psychedelia on its gray exterior: a painting of Incan gods spewing fire and lightning; shelves filled with hemp lip balm; stoner-centric comic books and tees.