A store that had been openly and illegally selling psychedelic mushrooms in Portland, Oregon, was raided by police Thursday, authorities said.
In 2020, Oregon became the first state in the country to legalize the use of psilocybin for people 21 and older in a controlled therapeutic setting under the supervision of trained facilitators.
But the ballot measure, approved by 56% of voters, did not allow retail sales, and legalization will not take effect until next month.
Police served a search warrant at the retailer, called Shroom House, in the Northwest District neighborhood, the Portland Police Bureau said in a news release. Investigators seized about 22 pounds of suspected mushrooms and more than $13,000 in cash, police said.
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The seized drugs tested positive for psilocybin in the field, police said, and a representative sample will be sent to the Oregon State Police crime lab for confirmation.
Steven Tachie, Jr., 32, and Jeramiahs Geronimo, 32, were booked into the Multnomah County Detention Center on suspicion of 10 counts each of money laundering and 10 counts each of unlawful delivery of a substance. controlled within 1,000 feet of a school. Two other men were cited for an alleged felony administration of psilocybin, police said.
It was not immediately known if Tachie and Geronimo have attorneys to comment on the allegations. Oregon Secretary of State records show Tachie as a business owner operating the business, KOIN reported.
An Oregon store allegedly selling psychedelic mushrooms was raided Thursday. Authorities seized about 22 pounds of suspected mushrooms and more than $13,000 in cash.
Last week, the business garnered national media attention and customers flocked.
Wesley Mahan, the superintendent of the condominium building where the Shroom House is located, told KOIN that he thought the business would last a few more weeks before closing.
“When the story broke, the parking lot disappeared overnight,” Mahan said. “The lines went around the building a block long.”
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In recent weeks, the Shroom House reportedly sold out the magic mushrooms and announced its grand opening via Twitter at the end of October, The Oregonian/OregonLive reported. The store’s logo, a mushroom straight out of a fairy tale complete with a red and white cap and door and windows, was displayed on a Portland billboard and sign outside.
In November, Colorado became the second state to pass a measure legalizing psychedelic mushrooms. Drugs are still illegal at the federal level.
