Magic mushroom dispensary opens in Winnipeg's Osborne Village
An Ontario-based corporation has opened a magic mushroom dispensary in Winnipeg, as the under-the-table psychedelics market continues to grow across the country.
Magic Mush opened its doors earlier this month along the main drag of Osborne Street with an eye-catching storefront spray-painted with colourful mushrooms.
The general manager, who wished to remain anonymous, says there are two other locations in Ottawa and Toronto, Ont.
The legal grounds for operation in this province, he says, are a bit hazy.
“It’s a grey area. It's allowed to run in B.C. and Ontario, so we're just coming to take a chance here and hopefully, we can take a stand and open it up here, as well,” he said.
Health Canada says psilocybin, the naturally occurring hallucinogenic compound found in magic mushrooms, is currently listed under Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. It is a restricted drug, meaning it has no approved medical use and its sale, possession and production are forbidden unless authorized for scientific, medicinal or research purposes.
A licence or an exemption is required to conduct activities with controlled substances, the agency said.
“However, Health Canada licences do not allow controlled substances licence holders to sell magic mushrooms, psilocybin, or any other controlled substances to the general public,” Health Canada said in a statement.
“Storefronts or online vendors selling magic mushrooms or psilocybin are therefore operating illegally. Products sold by such vendors are unregulated and may be unsafe.”
Magic mushroom dispensaries are popping up in other cities across Canada. Customers range from those looking for treatment for depression or PTSD to people wanting to “micro-dose” a small amount of psilocybin.
Jamie Kagan, who is a lawyer and partner at Winnipeg’s Thompson Dorfman Sweatman LLP, is representing the business owners behind Magic Mush.
He said despite federal legislation banning the sale, Magic Mush is offering Winnipeggers the chance to safely access a potentially beneficial product, like in other large city centres.
“Here what we’re trying to do is a storefront presence to allow people an opportunity to make an informed decision,” he said.
“We tell them it’s a controlled substance. We tell them what the product is and by-in-large, our customer base is age 35 to 55. This isn’t a bunch of kids trying to get high.”
The Winnipeg Police Service told CTV News Winnipeg in an emailed statement the drug enforcement unit is aware of the storefront.
“Our officers work with the Federal Government and their Inspector in regards to dispensaries,” the statement said.
The city also said it is not its jurisdiction to scrutinize the type of products being sold at a retail location.
“Similar to cannabis retail locations in Winnipeg, the City does not provide any special permits or licensing to correspond with the type of retail. Any type of retail use is permitted in commercial zones,” a statement from the city read.
Kagan said the owners of Magic Mush are hopeful their experience in Manitoba will be similar to its other locations in Ontario.
“The police showed up. The police laid charges. The police went away. They opened the next day and they continued on,” he said, noting there are pending charges before the courts in Ottawa and London, Ont. which could be precedent setting.
Meantime, Magic Mush’s manager said he is prepared to be arrested, but he hopes it won’t come to that.
“Hopefully they get behind us and realize how good of an impact we're making on the community. We're on the same team.”
- With files from CTV’s Jon Hendricks and The Canadian Press
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'The best that we can be': Indigenous judge and TRC chair Murray Sinclair dies at 73
Murray Sinclair, who was born when Indigenous people did not yet have the right to vote, grew up to become one of the most decorated and influential people to work in Indigenous justice and advocacy.
India's Modi, Canada's Trudeau condemn violence at Hindu temple near Toronto
The prime ministers of India and Canada condemned violence that broke out on Sunday at a Hindu temple near Toronto at a time of escalating diplomatic tensions between the two countries.
She was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes about a year ago. Here's how her condition was reversed
A year ago, Lorraine O'Quinn was coping with stress, chronic illness and Type 2 diabetes. Then she discovered a health program that she says changed her life.
Frustration over Mideast war in America's largest Arab-majority city may push some away from Democrats
As an ongoing part of Omar on the Road: America Decides 2024, CTV National News visited the University of Michigan-Dearborn campus to talk to Arab-American students about why they’re feeling left out of the Democrats’ tent.
3 people arrested after incident during protest at Hindu temple in Brampton, Ont.: Peel police
Peel Regional Police say three people are in custody as they continue to investigate an incident during a demonstration at a Hindu temple in Brampton on Sunday.
Judge rules against Alberta casino, dinner theatre operator
An application to stay a receivership order of Mayfield Investments Ltd., a company that owns multiple businesses in Alberta including the Camrose Resort and Casino, Medicine Hat Lodge and Calgary's Stage West Dinner Theatre, has been denied by the court.
'Giving women agency over their health': How innovative solutions are filling the gaps in Canadian menopause care
In a 2022 survey conducted by Leger Canada for the Menopause Foundation of Canada, about 46 per cent of women said they don't feel prepared for menopause, even though they know it's coming. At a time when tech-savvy millennials are starting their menopausal journeys, some tech entrepreneurs are stepping up with potential solutions to long-standing health-care deficiencies.
Ikea will pay 6 million euros to East German prisoners forced to build their furniture in landmark move
Furniture giant Ikea has agreed to pay 6 million euros (US$6.5 million) towards a government fund compensating victims of forced labour under Germany's communist dictatorship, in a move campaigners hope will pressure other companies to follow.
Police arrest Netanyahu aide as opponents accuse him of leaking intelligence to thwart Gaza ceasefire and hostage deal
Israeli police have arrested a top aide to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over allegedly leaking classified information to foreign media.