Mycopreneur Interviews Jamaican Psilocybin Mushroom Industry Pioneer Kevin Bourke

Psilocybin mushrooms have never been scheduled under the ‘Dangerous Drugs Act’ in the Caribbean island nation of Jamaica. As a result, the world’s only above board psilocybin mushroom industry has emerged on the island. Retreats, Consumer Packaged Goods, and biotech companies have all evolved over the last few years, and our guest today sits at the vanguard of all of it.

This week, we’re diving deep into the Jamaican psilocybin industry with Kevin Bourke, co-creator of Patoo — the first legal Jamaican psilocybin mushroom CPG brand — and co-founder of Rose Hill Life Sciences. We talk about the origins of the brands, the cultural and indigenous perspectives on mushroom medicine in Jamaica, and the future of psilocybin both locally and globally.

On the Origins of Patoo

Dennis Walker:
You’ve got a really unique, impactful, and innovative business. I want to start at the beginning. The first time I ever saw a psilocybin mushroom was in Negril, Jamaica, back in 2006. Fast forward 15–20 years, there’s now a full-on mushroom industry in Jamaica — and you guys are at the vanguard of it. So let’s start there: what’s the origin and inspiration behind Patoo, and what does the name mean?

Kevin Bourke:
That story about Negril sounds about right — it’s always been a cultural hub for mushrooms in Jamaica. Patoo is our brand and, arguably, the first legal psilocybin brand on the planet.

The name comes from what Jamaicans call a brown owl or a white owl. Owls hold deep symbolic meaning across ancient civilizations and indigenous teachings — wisdom, protection, vision. Athena herself had an owl on her shoulder. So when that name presented itself during brand creation, it felt right. We’ve been blessed with its success and the people it’s helped.

Building a Mushroom Industry in Jamaica

Dennis:
I’ve been following the mushroom industry in Jamaica for years now. You’ve got retreats, research partnerships, and a central role in shaping how a regulated psilocybin market might look. What’s it been like over the past few years? What are some of the growing pains and proudest contributions?

Kevin:
It’s all about education. My partner, Charles Lazarus, and I both sit on Jamaica’s technical committee — which includes the Ministry of Health, Bureau of Standards, and the CDC. We’re working hard to keep access open while ensuring safety.

That means everything from training retail outlets to developing childproof packaging, cross-referencing lab tests, and tracking data on challenging experiences versus dosage.

Jamaica may be small, but as we say: “Wi likkle, but wi tallawah.” We punch above our weight. Just like reggae, sports, and culture, our mushroom work has global impact.

Indigenous Roots & Rastafari Perspectives

Dennis:
I want to talk about mushroom traditions and bush medicine in Jamaica. Was psilocybin part of those indigenous and Rastafari practices?

Kevin:
Jamaica’s indigenous heritage is complex. The Taíno people, who migrated from South America, definitely had traditions with plant medicines — calling mushrooms “the flesh of the gods.” We honor that by working with Chief Cahlan of the Hummingbird Taíno, who often joins our retreats.

The Rastafari culture, meanwhile, emphasizes ital living — natural, clean, earth-centered. While mushrooms weren’t historically central, they’ve been increasingly embraced in recent years.

There’s still stigma, of course. Some Jamaicans call mushrooms “duppy umbrella” — associating them with spirits or poison. That’s where education comes in, helping people see both the microdosing benefits and the transformative potential of larger ceremonial doses.

On Ital Living & Cuisine at Retreats

Dennis:
Food is a big part of the healing journey. Can you tell us about the role of Ital cuisine in retreats and in Jamaican culture more broadly?

Kevin:
Ital food is at the heart of Rastafari culture — plant-based, often raw, clean, and close to the land. Jamaica has some of the most honest farmers and fishermen on Earth, and agriculture here is abundant.

At our retreats, we grow much of our own food organically. While we accommodate all dietary needs, the guiding principle is simple: you are what you eat. Just as psilocybin mushrooms are the “flesh of the gods,” food is medicine too.

Entering the Space in Jamaica

Dennis:
With the psilocybin movement growing, more people are looking at Jamaica as a place to open centers. What should they know before entering this space?

Kevin:
Safety and authenticity are everything. Jamaica has a technical committee setting standards across cultivation, retail, therapy, and research.

If someone wants to open a retreat here, they need to understand it’s not just about business. You have to work with Jamaicans at every level — kitchen staff, facilitators, musicians, farmers. It’s about integration, not parachuting in.

We collaborate closely with other centers like MycoMeditations, Beckley, and One Retreats. The focus is always on safety, authenticity, and community.

Looking Ahead: Patoo, Rosehill & One Retreats

Dennis:
What’s next for you and your projects?

Kevin:
We’re really excited about a few things:

• Rosehill Life Sciences: Our biotech arm in the U.S., working with the University of Guelph on adolescent autism and with Johns Hopkins on stroke research. Brilliant scientists and doctors are moving this into trials, which is thrilling.

• Patoo Jamaica: Continuing to expand safe access, with education and retail partnerships across the island.

• One Retreats: Hosting Navy SEAL veterans and civilians alike. Over the last three years, we’ve guided hundreds of participants — from those seeking healing from PTSD, TBI, and depression to those looking for a reset in life.

We’re proud to be rooted in Jamaica, leading by example, and welcoming people from all over the world to experience the medicine responsibly.

Listen to the full Mycopreneur Podcast interview featuring Kevin Bourke here

🌿 Learn more:
👉 OneRetreats.com
👉 Patoo Jamaica
👉 Rosehill Life Sciences

Thanks for reading today’s Mycopreneur newsletter, let us know in the replies how you liked it.

Cheers,

Dennis