In Portland, a store openly sells psychedelic mushrooms

A Portland herbalist shop openly sells psilocybin mushrooms, attracting lines of over two hours to get their hands on several varieties of psychedelic mushrooms.

In November 2020, the Oregon voters approved Measure 109, a ballot proposal to legalize the therapeutic use of psilocybin by therapists licensed by the Oregon Health Authority. The successful ballot measure is currently undergoing a two-year implementation period, with the OHA currently drafting regulations for the production, distribution and administration of psilocybin for medical purposes.

Another ballot proposal passed that year, Measure 110, decriminalized the possession of small quantities of all drugs, including psilocybin, but did not legalize the production or sale of controlled substances. Under federal law, psilocybin mushrooms remain a prohibited Schedule I drug under the Controlled Substances Act.

Although the OHA has yet to license psilocybin suppliers, the Shroom House store in Portland has apparently begun selling mushrooms. Last week, a local TV station reported that the store's owner had admitted to selling psilocybin mushrooms after a former employee contacted the media outlet about the possibility of illegal sales and distribution taking place at the establishment.

«I was led to believe by Shroom House management that it was the first licensed and medically sanctioned place to buy psychedelics in the state of Oregon,» former employee Kace Colwell told the TV station. «They're breaking all kinds of laws there.».

According to local reports, To purchase psilocybin mushrooms at Shroom House, customers must provide two forms of identification and complete an application to become a member of the Shroom House Society. Applicants must be at least 21 years old and complete a questionnaire on anxiety and depression, among other mental health issues. A l'hebdomadaire reporter was able to purchase psilocybin mushrooms about five minutes after submitting an application.

«Please use products purchased from the Company responsibly,» states one of the forms. «While larger doses of psilocybin mushrooms are psychedelic and will certainly impair driving, microdoses should not affect your ability to drive or perform other tasks.»

The Shroom House reportedly has a menu of mushrooms to choose from, including Knobby Tops, Penis Envy, and Albino Golden Teacher, the Willamette Week daily noted in its article. Seven grams of psychedelic mushrooms cost between $85 and $95.