John Miller
In Oakland, there are a variety of options for those looking to purchase or pick mushrooms. Oakland was one of the first cities to decriminalize psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms. As a result, a number of dispensaries, such as the Magic Mushrooms Dispensary, have emerged to serve the growing demand for these products. In addition to traditional dispensaries, Oakland is also home to Zide Door, a church that considers 'magic mushrooms' a sacrament. This unique establishment combines spiritual practices with the use of natural hallucinogens, creating a one-of-a-kind experience for its members. For those unable to visit a physical location, online dispensaries like Mushroom Dispensary Oakland offer mail-order services, providing access to a variety of mushroom strains and related products.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Location | Oakland, California |
| Mushroom Type | Psychedelic/Magic Mushrooms |
| Legality | Possession and use of entheogenic plants and fungi are decriminalized in Oakland. However, commercial sale or manufacturing is not allowed. |
| Popular Places | Zide Door, Gateway Smoke Shop, Emerald Supply, Cafe Van Kleef, Church of Entheogenic Plants |
| Online Dispensaries | Magic Mushroom Dispensary Oakland, Mushroom Dispensary Oakland |
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What You'll Learn
Zide Door, Oakland's psychedelic mushroom church
Zide Door was founded by Dave Hodges in January 2019. It began as a cannabis-focused church, but after Oakland's City Council decriminalized psychedelic mushrooms and other consciousness-altering plants in June 2019, Hodges added them to the church's offerings. The church is located in a nondescript building on 10th Avenue near E 12th Street in Oakland, California. It is open every day from 9 am to 10 pm.
At Zide Door, members can receive cannabis or psilocybin mushrooms for free but must consume them at home or any other safe place besides the church. The church used to offer psyche-altering sacraments and hot-boxed sermons every Sunday at 4:20 pm, with music from artists like Baby Keem and Kendrick Lamar. The main attraction, the mushrooms, are kept in a room adjacent to the sermon area, which also serves as a dispensary.
Hodges has faced legal challenges with the city of Oakland due to the church's activities. In August 2020, the Oakland Police Department raided the church, seizing money, cannabis, and mushrooms. However, no criminal charges were filed in the 18 months following the raid. Zide Door dropped a lawsuit against the city alleging religious discrimination but has applied for a permit to continue operating. Hodges plans to sue the city again if the permit is not approved.
Despite the legal issues, Hodges has ambitious plans for the future of Zide Door. He hopes to provide members with access to an Oakland Hills home where they can safely take "heroic" doses of mushrooms under the supervision of "trip-sitters" who have been pre-qualified and appointed by him.
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Decriminalization of magic mushrooms in Oakland
In 2019, Oakland became the second city in the United States to decriminalize magic mushrooms, following in the footsteps of Denver. The resolution to decriminalize the use of entheogenic plants, including magic mushrooms, cactuses, and iboga, was passed unanimously by the Oakland City Council. This resolution effectively directs law enforcement not to investigate or prosecute individuals for the use, sale, or distribution of these substances.
The push for decriminalization in Oakland was led by the group Decriminalize Nature Oakland (DNO), which advocates for the therapeutic and spiritual benefits of entheogenic plants. Councilman Noel Gallo, who introduced the resolution, also cited his family's history of using these plants for healing and cultural rituals. Supporters of the resolution, such as Nicole Stewart from DNO, argue that decriminalization will allow communities to access healing medicines and restore their relationship with nature.
Despite the decriminalization, magic mushrooms remain illegal under federal and California laws. The resolution in Oakland specifically states that city funds will not be used to enforce laws criminalizing the use and possession of entheogenic plants by adults. Additionally, it emphasizes that investigating and prosecuting individuals for growing, buying, distributing, or possessing these substances will be a low priority for law enforcement in the city. However, it is important to note that the resolution does not authorize the manufacturing or sale of these substances or driving under their influence.
The movement toward decriminalization in Oakland is part of a broader trend across the United States, with cities like Denver and Detroit also enacting similar measures. Activists hope that these local efforts will lead to wider drug law reforms and facilitate access to substances like psilocybin mushrooms for their potential therapeutic benefits. While there are concerns about the potential negative consequences of decriminalization, supporters believe that these substances have been used safely by various cultures for millennia and offer healing properties for conditions such as substance abuse, anxiety, and PTSD.
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Magic mushroom dispensaries in Oakland
In 2019, Oakland became the second US city to decriminalize the possession and use of entheogenic plants and fungi, including "magic" mushrooms. However, the resolution does not allow for the commercial sale or manufacturing of mushrooms. Despite this, there are a few places in Oakland where people can purchase mushrooms without facing legal repercussions. Here are some magic mushroom dispensaries in Oakland:
Zide Door
Zide Door is a nondenominational and interfaith church in Oakland that supports the religious use of entheogenic sacraments. The church believes that mushrooms are sacred and can bring individuals closer to their true understanding of faith. It is located at 1216 10th Ave, Oakland, and is open daily from 9 am to 10 pm. Zide Door is one of the few places in Oakland where people can legally purchase mushrooms. However, to buy mushrooms, one must become a member by answering an online questionnaire and agreeing to accept entheogenic plants as part of their religious onboarding.
The Shroomz Store
The Shroomz Store is another option for purchasing mushrooms in Oakland. They are an online marketplace that offers a wide range of mushroom products, including supplements, tinctures, and gourmet mushroom chocolates. The Shroomz Store prides itself on its commitment to quality and customer service, and they offer a 15% discount to new members.
It is important to note that while the use and possession of magic mushrooms have been decriminalized in Oakland, the commercial sale and manufacturing of these mushrooms are not permitted. Therefore, it is advisable to proceed with caution and discretion when purchasing mushrooms from any dispensary in Oakland.
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Magic mushroom gummies in Oakland
In Oakland, magic mushrooms have been decriminalised, and there are a few options for purchasing them. One of the most well-known places to buy magic mushrooms in Oakland is the Zide Door, a self-described Church of Entheogenic Plants. This church, founded by Dave Hodges, is unique in that it centres its religious practices on the use of natural hallucinogens, mainly mushrooms containing the psychoactive chemical psilocybin. While Zide Door has been subject to police raids in the past, it remains a popular destination for those seeking to explore the world of psychedelic mushrooms.
In addition to Zide Door, there are also several dispensaries and online options for purchasing magic mushrooms in Oakland. For example, the Magic Mushrooms Dispensary in Oakland offers dried mushroom strains that are ready for consumption and can be purchased online. Another option is EarthE CBD, which offers vegan and gluten-free magic mushroom gummies in flavours like green apple and strawberry. These gummies are made with extracts from mushrooms like psilocybin and Amanita muscaria, providing a fun and easy way to try psychedelics.
When it comes to the legal status of magic mushrooms in Oakland, it's important to note that while the city has decriminalised them, it is still illegal to possess and sell these substances under federal law. However, the resolution passed by the city council deems these offences as a low priority for law enforcement. As a result, places like Zide Door have been able to operate, but they may still face challenges and raids from law enforcement, as evidenced by the 2020 raid.
It's worth mentioning that magic mushrooms can have strong effects, and it's important to approach them with caution. While they have been used in religious rituals for thousands of years and offer therapeutic benefits, they can also cause intoxication and drowsiness. It is always recommended to start with a low dose and be mindful of the potential risks associated with their use. Additionally, it is essential to source magic mushrooms from reputable and legal dispensaries to ensure safety and quality.
Overall, Oakland provides a unique landscape for the exploration of magic mushrooms, with options like Zide Door and online dispensaries offering access to those interested in their therapeutic and religious potential. However, it is crucial to stay informed about the legal status and potential risks associated with their use, as well as to always buy from a legitimate source.
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Therapeutic benefits of magic mushrooms
In Oakland, California, magic mushrooms are considered a sacrament at the Church of Entheogenic Plants, also known as Zide Door. This church is America's only openly operating psychedelic mushroom access point. Despite the fact that magic mushrooms are still considered a Schedule I drug by the Drug Enforcement Administration, with "no currently accepted medical use and a high potential for abuse", there is a growing wave of successful local efforts to decriminalize psychedelics.
In fact, in a clinical setting, a pre-determined and controlled dose of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms, is given to patients under the supervision of a medical professional to treat various mental health issues. This is because psilocybin has been found to have therapeutic benefits, including:
Treating Depression and Anxiety
Research has shown that psilocybin can be used to treat depression and anxiety. In fact, in Australia, as of July 2023, medicines containing psilocybin can be prescribed by authorized psychiatrists to people experiencing treatment-resistant depression.
Helping with Substance Use Disorder
Psilocybin has been found to have therapeutic effects in people who suffer from substance use disorder.
Easing Existential Distress
Psilocybin can help ease the existential distress caused by life-threatening diseases.
Treating PTSD
Some researchers believe that psilocybin could be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).
Treating Addiction and Cancer-Related Psychiatric Disorders
The Heffter Research Institute is currently focused on researching the effects of psilocybin on addiction and cancer-related psychiatric disorders.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, magic mushrooms are legal in Oakland. Oakland City Council decriminalized the possession and use of entheogenic plants and fungi in 2019. However, it is still illegal to possess these plants under federal law and to sell them in Oakland.
You can buy magic mushrooms at Zide Door, Oakland's psychedelic mushroom church. Zide Door is America's only openly operating psychedelic mushroom access point. You can also buy magic mushrooms online from suppliers such as Magic Mushroom Dispensary Oakland.
Zide Door is a nondenominational and interfaith church in Oakland where religious practice centers on the use of natural hallucinogens, mainly mushrooms containing the psychoactive chemical psilocybin. It was founded by Dave Hodges in January 2019.
To become a member of Zide Door, you must answer an online questionnaire. One of the questions is whether you work for law enforcement or any government agency. Members must also agree to accept entheogenic plants as part of the religious onboarding.
Entheogenic plants are plants and fungi that contain psychoactive substances. They have been used for religious and healing purposes for millennia.
