How Did Vancouver Became a Hub for Recreational Magic Mushroom?
Near Vancouver’s sunny English Bay, colourful signs now advertise magic mushrooms Vancouver for sale inside a long-standing barbershop. Residents can easily access this shop, which operates with a business licence, to meet their psilocybin needs.
Vancouver has become a hub for Canadians exploring the benefits and experience of psilocybin. It was one of the first cities in Canada to open magic mushroom stores, which paved the way for other cities, like Ontario, to provide residents with easy access.
Table of Contents
- How Did Vancouver Became a Hub for Recreational Magic Mushroom?
Magic Mushroom and Its Origins
Magic mushrooms contain hallucinogens, psilocybin and psilocin. Consuming them can cause you to see, hear, or feel things that aren’t there and may also lead to muscle twitches and increased heart rate and blood pressure.
The oldest evidence of the ceremonial use of Psilocybe species is found in Mesoamerica and recorded in the Codex “Yuta Tnoho” or “Vindobonensis Mexicanus I.” This Mixtec codex, painted in the early 1500s C.E., depicts a sacred ceremony where diverse deities consume sacred fungus before the first dawn.
These paintings clearly show the importance of entheogenic fungi in the Mesoamerican worldview before the Spanish arrival.
The use of Psilocybe species continues today among Mexican ethnic groups. There are fifty-seven hallucinogenic Psilocybe species in Mexico, with 35 species and nine varieties reported to be used mainly in central and southern Mexico. According to modern classifications, these 44 taxa correspond to 14 valid species.
How Controlled Drugs Psilocybin Entered Vancouver
The medicinal mushroom dispensary in British Columbia did not appear overnight. Before they existed, these accessible magic mushroom dispensaries underwent numerous challenges to reach their current status.
1965
The first documented recreational use outside Mexico occurred in Vancouver. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) confiscated Psilocybe semilanceata, or Liberty Cap, from University of British Columbia (UBC) students. These distinctive meadow and pasture fungi resembled the species encountered by tourists in Mexico.
1970
Many areas in British Columbia, including Haida Gwaii, had become well-known for their productive Liberty Capfields. Hundreds of people gathered in particularly productive areas during the autumn.
In late 1974, psilocybin became part of the Food and Drug Act.
In late 1979, The Appeals Court ruled that possessing Psilocybe cubensis in its natural state did not equate to possessing an unapproved substance. This ruling followed the acquittal of a Massett resident who was charged with psilocybin possession after authorities seized mushrooms from her home.
The Appeals Court dismissed the Crown’s appeal of the acquittal. As a result of this decision, authorities did not consider possession prohibited from 1979 to 1982.
1980
The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that possession of dried mushrooms did constitute possession of psilocybin. Although magic mushrooms remain abundant and popular, they no longer cause the social and regulatory issues of the past.
Wild fungi are primarily replaced by the more easily cultivated tropical species, Psilocybe cubensis, and the picking, possession, and use of Liberty Caps are primarily personal and localized.
Today’s Landscape
Psilocybin is now gaining attention for both recreational and medical uses, particularly for its benefits in treating treatment-resistant depression and end-of-life anxiety.
This exploration of psychedelics faced a setback in the late 1960s when the growing recreational use led politicians to reclassify these substances as drugs with no medical value. Current research has scratched off this statement as multiple studies have shown its benefits in high doses and microdosing. Health Canada has also acknowledged its potential benefits for specific conditions.
Vancouver is one of 16 cities in North America and also Israel where research teams are conducting experiments under the guidance of the non-profit Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies (MAPS).
Recreational Possession of Shrooms (Then and Now)
Attitudes toward recreational use have changed over time. These shifts have influenced how the federal government, city council, Vancouver Police Department, and the public view psilocybin today. Historical perspectives have shaped the current understanding and approach to using Psilocybe in the city.
From Ruling It as Prohibited, 1979
In a 1979 news clipping, Dr. Steen Andersen warned that as long as people are allowed to harvest and consume psilocybe, they face risks of genetic damage, degenerative brain disease, and death.
Dr. Andersen advocated for restrictions. He also reported that he had admitted several individuals to Riverview Mental Hospital in Coquitlam for treatment of toxic psychosis.
Despite efforts to classify psilocybin as an unapproved substance, the high court dismissed a charge of possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms.
To Picking Psilocybe Freely, 1980
Mushroom pickers were working freely along the B.C. coast, a rare opportunity to harvest, possess, and even sell hallucinogenic mushrooms.
The B.C. Court of Appeals ruled Psilocybe in its natural state does not constitute possession of a restricted drug. RCMP officers on Vancouver Island and in Queen Charlotte have confirmed they are not arresting pickers in that year.
Veteran pickers report that the mushrooms are consumed fresh, dried, or in small quantities and are rarely processed into chemical form. Interested folks from as far afield as France and Switzerland travel to B.C. for the mushroom season, which begins with the fall rains.
Recreational Use in the 21st Century
The regulatory framework for Psilocybe remains uncertain, especially as the issues once associated with it now seem minor. Police raids are more focused on severe problems caused by highly addictive and destructive substances like crack cocaine, methamphetamines, and synthetic opioids. Clinical trials suggest that the active compound may be beneficial in treating addiction.
Advocates who previously campaigned for the approval of cannabis dispensaries in Canada are optimistic about the future. They believe that, similar to expanding cannabis access, more dispensaries will soon become available throughout East Hastings Street and the city.
A Bright Future Waiting for Psilocybin
There are currently over 60 clinical trials underway. Many of these trials are still early, so researchers haven’t yet confirmed long-term effectiveness in Western medicine.
Preliminary data indicates that psilocybin therapy shows promise for treating various conditions. Research suggests it may be effective for depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, smoking cessation, and alcoholism. Psilocybin-assisted group therapy has demonstrated a clinically meaningful improvement in demoralization among older long-term AIDS survivors.
How it Works
The psychedelic compound affects temporal processing and brain connectivity by changing blood flow patterns. It alters how various brain regions activate during memory recall, which reduces cerebral blood flow and blood oxygen levels. This suggests that the compound’s effects come from decreased activity and connectivity in specific brain areas.
In patients with treatment-resistant depression, reduced blood flow in the temporal cortex links to fewer depressive symptoms. Further research shows that plasma levels relate to functional connectivity and the integrity and segregation of brain networks. Researchers propose that neuroplasticity may play a role in psilocybin’s therapeutic effects.
Growing Product Selection
These preliminary studies give many Canadians hope to access psilocybin. While most access is currently through costly clinical trials and therapies, advocates are working to provide shrooms more widely by offering a diverse range of options similar to cannabis.
| Product | Type | Potency/Dosage | Cost |
| Wonder – Psilocybin Chocolate Bar – Birthday Cake | Edible | 1g/ 3g | $15-$42 |
| Penis Envy Cubensis | Dried mushroom | 3.5g, 7g, 14g, or 1 oz | $20-$151 |
| Evoke – Medicinal Mushrooms – Microdose | Capsules | 200mg | $60 |
| Euphoria Psychedelics – Blue Raspberry Sips | Beverage | 1000mg | $39.60 |
| Mastermind – Gummy Hearts | Edibles | 3000mg | $44 |
Magic Mushrooms Vancouver Dispensary for Recreational and Medicinal Psilocybe
Zoomies Canada has multiple types of Psilocybe fungi and products containing the active compound. We cater to every Canadian, from those who want to microdose, we offer capsules, and for those who want to experience spiritual awakening, we also have dried psilocybin mushrooms. Enjoy 20% off your first order or free shipping on purchases over $149.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between recreational and medical use of psilocybin?
The difference between recreational and medical use revolves around intent.
- Recreational use involves consuming the substance for pleasure or exploration, commonly to experience altered states of consciousness. Users might seek the psychedelic effects for personal enjoyment, curiosity, or social reasons.
- Medical use involves a carefully planned approach aimed at treating or relieving symptoms. It includes precise preparation, administration, and follow-up to ensure safety and effectiveness. Dosages are calculated and given according to clinical guidelines to achieve therapeutic benefits while reducing risks.
Are there designated places to enjoy the effects of psychedelic fungi?
Authorities have not designated any locations where using Psilocybe is officially permitted. The best approach is to use them in a safe, comfortable, and quiet place like your home. Choosing a private environment over a public or crowded area is best for your experience.
Is microdosing considered a recreational practice?
No. Microdosing involves taking a tiny amount, much smaller than a recreational dose. Reported benefits of microdosing include enhanced mood, increased physical and mental stimulation, and boosted creative thinking.
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