Mushroom dispensary to stay open despite closure order from Vancouver inspector [Video]

The founder of an embattled psilocybin mushroom dispensary in Vancouver’s Mount Pleasant neighbourhood has vowed to keep the business running, despite an order from the city’s chief licensing inspector.

The closure order is the latest in an ongoing battle between Dana Larsen’s Magic Mushroom Dispensary and the city, which suspended the shop’s business licence in May 2023 over the open sale of several psychedelic drugs at the West Broadway storefront.

A panel of city councillors voted to re-instate the licence last month – but Larsen told CTV News he was disappointed to receive a letter Sunday informing him that the matter was being sent back to council.

“They’re trying to get a do-over,” said the long-time drug activist. “Our lawyer’s not convinced that’s legal – to just go back and get another decision if you don’t like the first one.”

A copy of the chief licensing inspector’s letter, which Larsen …