Picking Magic Mushrooms in Vancouver, B.C.
Mushroom pickers are busy this year in what mushroom experts say is a bumper season. They’re harvesting psilocybin mushrooms, commonly known as magic mushrooms, in pastures and ditches along the coast of Vancouver Island and on the mainland, as well as in the lush forests of northern B.C. URL vancouver magic mushrooms
They’re picking for fun or profit, but this year they can do so without fear of arrest. A high court ruling overturned an old law that made possession of hallucinogenic mushrooms a criminal offence, and now simple possession is legal.
Magic in the Mist: Exploring the World of Psychedelic Mushrooms in Vancouver
Until recently, it was illegal to possess mushrooms anywhere in Canada, despite their ubiquity in the outdoors. But now that federal legislation has made it legal to sell them, mushroom shops are popping up in towns and cities across the country.
Vancouver’s Magic Mushroom shop, which opened this year, joins those in Ottawa and Toronto. The owner, who asked not to be identified, says he’s hoping to replicate the success of those stores.
He says customers come from a wide range of backgrounds. Some are struggling with addiction issues or mental health disorders. Others want to avoid drinking alcohol and are looking for safer drugs with fewer side effects.
Before heading out to the forest or your nearest mushroom store, it’s important to have the right gear. A backpack with a waterproof cover is key to keep your stuff dry, as is a pair of hiking boots that can handle the dampness. You should also bring a compass, a map, and some water. Also, a jar or plastic bag with holes in the lid will allow for airflow, so your mushrooms don’t go bad too quickly.
