As the world grapples with opioid addiction and overdose deaths, one group of Vancouver activists is experimenting with a different kind of drug: magic mushrooms. At stores with names like Fun Guyz, Shroom City and House of Mushroom, paintings of colourful fungi hang on storefronts and employees hand out discount fliers at busy intersections. Despite federal laws that classify the hallucinogens as Schedule III drugs, and even though psilocybin is still illegal to sell or possess, these shops are thriving.

The reason is that a mushroom dispensary near me, which don't contain the psychoactive substance, can be sold legally to anyone over the age of 19. And when those spores germinate and grow into mature mushrooms, they become subject to the same rules as cannabis buds. So far, the city's police department has shown little interest in going after these merchants.

Beyond the Buzz: The Therapeutic Potential of Magic Mushrooms in Canada

But that doesn't mean the business owners aren't taking a risk. A spokesperson for FunGuyz, which has opened several locations across Canada, says they're aware the shop could face raids or arrests if police are called in.

To avoid that, the companies ask customers to sign a waiver and show photo ID before buying any products. They also don't sell to anyone under the age of 19. For those who are unable to visit a physical store, there are many online options that allow you to buy psilocybin-containing mushrooms in Canada. These websites include Medicinal Mushroom Dispensary in Vancouver, Schedule35, Shroom World, Mungus Shrooms and Mindful Meditation Canada.