Learn Euphoria: Florida’s 1st Psychedelics School Opens in St Petersburg
--Psychedelic EDU: A Psychedelic School has Tripped it's Way into Downtown St Pete--
--"Learn Euphoria" Teaches Safety and Psychedelics in Downtown St Pete--
St Petersburg, FL – As the acceptance and understanding of psychedelics continue to evolve, a groundbreaking educational initiative has emerged in St Petersburg, Florida. “Learn Euphoria,” a pioneering school dedicated to the study and exploration of psychedelics, has officially opened its doors. While psychedelics are not currently legal in Florida, the school aims to empower residents with knowledge in anticipation of influencing potential future shifts in legislation.
Recent milestones in psychedelic acceptance, such as the legalization and decriminalization of psilocybin in states like Oregon, Colorado, and Washington DC, signal a growing cultural shift towards recognizing the therapeutic and transformative potential of these substances. MAPS, the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelic Studies, is currently studying MDMA as a treatment for PTSD and seems to deem it as a breakthrough therapy. In response to this changing landscape, “Learn Euphoria” seeks to provide Floridians with a comprehensive education on psychedelics in a responsible and legal manner.
The in-person classes are conducted at the St Pete location of Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary, a trusted establishment known for its commitment to education and community engagement. Courses offered include “How to Grow Mushrooms,” “How to Micro-dose,” “How to Trip Sit,” and “Intro to Psychedelics”. These classes provide a deep dive into the historical, legal, and pharmacological aspects of psychedelics, offering participants a well-rounded understanding of the subject matter.
Founder and educator Carlos Hermida emphasizes that “There are no psychedelics in class, LET’S MAKE THAT CLEAR! But we do have examples on how to grow legal mushrooms like Lions mane and Cordyceps. The courses are designed to foster a safe and responsible approach to psychedelics, with a focus on harm reduction, legal considerations, and ethical practices.”
In-person classes are currently priced at $100 each, with no illegal substances present during sessions—only the sharing of valuable information. The school aims to create a supportive community where individuals can engage in meaningful discussions about psychedelics without the risks associated with illegal activities.
“We believe that education could lead to legalization,” says Hermida, “If people understood how safe and beneficial these substances are we should see legalization soon. In 2021 Rep Michael Grieco proposed legislation to legalize psilocybin therapy in Florida. It died in committee but I’m sure if more Floridians were educated on the subject there would be more pressure on legislature to legalize.”
Founder Carlos Hermida is no stranger to alternative forms of education. He co-founded and has Deputy Director of Suncoast NORML, the local Chapter of the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws, since 2014. They used to call Carlos the “first professor of cannabis” at Medical Marijuana Tampa, where he taught about the cannabis plant and how to grow it. Since then Carlos worked as an educator, for such organizations as the Florida Cannabis Coalition and Cannabis Career Institute, until he opened Chillum CBD Dispensary in Historic Ybor City Fl. Chillum was the first CBD Dispensary in the Tampa Bay area and has served as a hub of activism and alternative culture since it opened in 2018.
In 2022, Chillum expanded its product line from just Hemp to Mushroom products as well, becoming Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary! Chillum never put illegal magic mushrooms on their shelves but offered functional mushrooms (like lionsmane and reishi, grow kits, microscopic mycology mycelium, and a legal magic mushroom called Amanita Muscaria.
“When we expanded our product line,” explained Hermida, “We noticed a lot of our customers needed education our new products and psychedelics in general, with my background in cannabis education it was easy to see there was a need for psychedelic education asap! But at the same time the program needed to be factual, scientific, and devoid of any stigmas. So we have been developing the program for about a year.”
The Florida Department of Agriculture and Consumer Services (FDACS) didn’t allow them to sell Amanita Muscaria for very long. They placed a stop sale on Chillum Mushroom and Hemp Dispensary since amanitas aren’t approved for consumption by the FDA, the FDACS claimed the mushroom was poisonous and had Hermida take it off his shelves.
“The stop sale just confirmed that more education is needed on psychedelics,” says Hermida, “There is just too much bad info out there on these substances. It is the future of our mental health and well being. Hopefully Learn Euphoria can clarify and help to educate and maybe that will lead to more acceptance.”
Looking towards the future, “Learn Euphoria” plans to expand its reach by offering online courses, making this invaluable knowledge accessible to a wider audience. The school’s commitment to education and responsible exploration aligns with the growing interest in psychedelics as tools for personal growth and mental well-being.
For more information and to enroll in classes, please visit LearnEuphoria.com.
Who: Learn Euphoria
What: Psychedelic Education
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