Living in the Northeast, even though we do have the native Opuntia humifusa, cacti is not something we are very familiar with. Even more so when it comes to psychoactive varieties (save for maybe a sliver of people who know the word peyote)

While doing research for the “Nexus New Member Questionnaire” , I learned what the difference between a Pachanoi and a PC Pachanoi.

Last night browsing in the local Walmart, I happen to notice two 7 inch tall cylindrical cacti sitting atop a small rack, just to the left of the garden center door.
Upon closer inspection, each ariole was sitting at about 45 degrees, with an indicative V just above.
The label also said Pachanoi .
$6 each

I went back today to buy them and they were gone…

Sadly I don’t have any photos to critique.

So my question is, what are the chances??

Your chances are high. Keep going back for if/when it is back in stock. I have some PC I found in similar stores, as well as a semi monstrose pachanoi that I found and is now one of my favorite genetics I have...plus I find it pretty potent, visual etc. Pay attention because sometimes at
garden centers I have seen both the pc pach and semi monstrose sold all mixed up on the same table, same lables, same price etc.

With cacti you can totally score this way. Or you can end up with a bunch of browningia sold as macrogonus?

I agree with everything that Jamie just said. Living in a different part of the country I have seen these same cacti sold at the 2 big box hardware stores. These plants come from Altmans. They are a huge supplier of cactus to retailers in the USA. OP if you can find the Altman's Monstrose (which is really semi-monstrose, going in and out of phases of normal growth too) it is a very fine Pachanoi in terms of magic, growth, and beauty. It wants to grow tall and FAT and it grows long spines here and there. It looks quite different from PC once you know what to look for. It's areoles also point upward like PC. But it is a much fatter plant and just has a different look to it in general.

Thank you both for the insight and verbiage!

I’m a firm believer that when something is meant for me it will come to me. I found tobacco in this way too (N. sylvestris). In the little experience I have since stumbling across it, I have truly felt how much of an amazing spirit this plant has.

This brush with cacti means something special, and I intend to follow the course.

I’ve already checked another Walmart and a few big box stores, with plans to keep looking.

Again, thank you so much for the crash course.