Along certain streets in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve borough, in Montreal, there are many posters promoting websites that allow you to have magic mushrooms illegally delivered directly to your door. But are these sites safe?
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Among the posters of lost cats, shows or services of all kinds usually stuck on the walls and lampposts of Ontario Street, the magic mushroom advertisements stand out.
“Magic Mushrooms“, “Magic mushrooms”, “20% off your first order”, “Microdoses”, “Candy”, “Discreet and eco-responsible packaging”, “Express delivery anywhere in Canada”: sellers do not cut corners to promote their products.
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A simple scan of the QR code provides access to easy-to-use and visually appealing sites where you can purchase a variety of products based on psilocybin, the psychoactive component of magic mushrooms. Herbal teas, capsules, dried mushrooms, chocolate: it’s all there.
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Popular, mushrooms
“For me, this kind of display shows that there is a strong demand for these products. Otherwise they would not post in the street, and the sites would not be as worked, ”says Jean-François Mary, director of the organization in harm reduction Cactus Montreal.
Should we be wary of illegal products sold on these harmless-looking sites?
“Generally, mushrooms are a fairly harmless and much safer substance than synthetic drugs, and these sites are seen as a good alternative to street vendors. In addition, the contact with the criminal world is less direct”, he underlines.
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However, that does not mean that there is no risk, insists the director of Cactus.
“There is still a risk associated with the fact that we do not know in what environment they are pushed. Is it done in a sterile environment? Are they contaminated with heavy metals or other harmful products?
Caution is advised
Substances intended for human consumption, whether psychoactive or not, always present risks when their production is not supervised. Thus, Jean-François Mary advises consumers to be careful and always test a tiny amount of the drug they obtain before moving on to a regular dose.
“The first dose should be tiny, like trying to find out if you’re allergic,” he advises.
He also points out that online transactions can sometimes lead to fraud. A wise consumer should therefore avoid giving out their credit card information in order to avoid being tricked.
What the law says
As a reminder, despite the ease with which one can buy mush, the production, sale and possession of psilocybin are illegal and criminalized in Canada. This substance is listed in Schedule III of the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, and an offense can result in a maximum imprisonment of three years (possession) or ten years (trafficking).
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