Ybor City Opens First Mushroom Dispensary in U.S.

Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary, owned by Carlos Hermida, is the first legal mushroom dispensary to open in the United States. Hermida says these mushrooms are legal because they provide psychedelic effects that get you high and make you trip, however, they don’t contain the mind-altering compound psilocybin. Psilocybin is a schedule 1 drug, along with heroin and LSD, which means they have a high potential for abuse. Hermida in an interview with Fox13 states “Psychedelics in general are very beneficial for trauma, PTSD, anxiety and even micro dosing can help the average person get through the day.” Ellen Snelling of the Hillsborough County Anti-Drug Alliance, states her concerns of mushroom dispensaries opening. Snelling states, “My biggest concern is children. Getting in the wrong hands, the developing brain does not need to be exposed to this drug or any drug.” With the emergence of legalizing psychoactive substances such as Delta 8, the door has opened for different approaches to modern medicine. With that, we can expect to see an increase of these products appearing in different parts of the United States.