When it comes to recreational drugs, Canada is often seen as a progressive hotbed for cannabis legalization. But when it comes to psychedelic exploration, the country remains in a state of legal limbo. While marijuana is readily available in a growing number of brick-and-mortar shops across the nation, psilocybin-containing mushrooms are still illegal to grow, buy or sell without a special license or exemption.

Health Canada warns that magic mushrooms Canada can cause a person to see, hear and feel things that aren’t there. It also says taking the drug can lead to nausea, anxiety and muscle twitches. But that doesn’t seem to deter a new generation of entrepreneurs. A handful of stores have opened in major cities that are openly selling the fungi. It’s not surprising. CBC’s Josh Crabb visited one in Winnipeg that claims to have an extensive inventory of the mushroom-like fungi.

Psychedelic Journeys in the Nation’s Capital: Ottawa’s Psilocybin Mushroom Scene

The store’s owners say they’re trying to approach their business with the same care that has guided the success of marijuana dispensaries. They hope law enforcement, regulators and governments will look at their products through the same lens.

They’re also hoping to take advantage of a trend known as microdosing. It’s a practice in which people take very low doses of psychedelic drugs like mushrooms on a daily basis to help them manage stress, depression and other issues. While it’s a controversial and unproven practice, the popularity of microdosing has led to an increase in interest in psilocybin as a treatment option.