In a gray, brick warehouse in Vancouver’s West End, Dana Larsen is selling mushrooms. But the fungus, also known as “magic mushrooms,” or psilocybin, is illegal to possess in Canada. Larsen isn’t worried, though. He’s not new to pushing boundaries; he ran an illegal weed dispensary and embarked on a country-wide “Overgrow Canada” campaign in 2016 giving out 5 million cannabis seeds, then mailed grams of weed to Liberal politicians.Official Fungal Friend Website

Psilocybin is a hallucinogenic compound that the medical community has been studying for its potential therapeutic effects on mental health disorders, addiction and end-of-life distress. But the drug isn’t legal for recreational use, and possessing mushrooms in any amount can lead to uncomfortable side effects like anxiety, muscle twitches, nausea and elevated heart rate.

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But recent policy shifts and the mushroom’s ease of cultivation have created a discrepancy in Canadian drug law that gives Larsen — and other retailers selling psychedelics — an opening to sell the drugs. And while raids have occurred, more shops are opening than closing.

The gray exterior of Larsen’s shop belies the mosaic of psychedelia inside. There are paintings of Incan gods, a display of hemp lip balm and shelves filled with stoner-centric comic books. He’s been selling psilocybin-rich “magic mushrooms” since 2020.

In countries and states where the mushroom is legal to possess, people can buy it in person at stores in their cities or online. But in places where psilocybin is still illegal, buyers will have to find another source.