Shroom Shops Sprout Across Canada

Canada is facing a so-called "shroom boom". As demand for psilocybin continues to grow, spurred on by groundbreaking medical research and government policy shifts, a proliferation of shops selling magic mushrooms are cropping up across the country.

With over two dozen new stores opening in just 2023 alone, top chains are already boasting about their plans for rapid expansion. The air is thick with an electric sense of possibility and rebellion, as more and more canadians seek out the powerful and mind-altering effects of psilocybin.

A gateway to a new reality

The storefronts demand attention, their neon signs and psychedelic murals drawing the eye of every passerby.

In Canada's largest cities, dispensaries flaunt names like Fun Guyz, Shroom City, and House of Mush, boldly displaying their wares in open defiance of local authorities.

On the internet you can also see dozens of Canadian online stores selling so-called magic mushrooms, a growing phenomenon in other countries too; such as Brazil, where they are sold as ethnobotanical samples so-called psilocybe cubensis desidratado and in Holland, where they are advertised as magic truffles. 

One such canadian store, Shroomyz, boasts a massive rainbow shiitake mushroom at its entrance, beckoning customers to step inside and experience a new reality.

The employees eagerly hand out discount flyers on nearby street corners, luring in curious minds with promises of mind-altering trips.

In the wake of the 2022 policy changes, a wave of dispensaries emerged in bustling cities across Canada. Among them was Shroomyz, a vibrant and inviting storefront that opened its doors in October of that year, quickly becoming Toronto's first brick-and-mortar 'shroom shop. Another major player in the market, Fun Guyz, wasted no time in expanding their reach with 15 new locations opening up in 2023 alone. Not satisfied with this impressive growth, the company has announced plans to double that number in the coming year.

Behind the rising popularity of these psychedelic shops lies a growing body of medical research touting the potential benefits of psilocybin. From managing anxiety and depression to treating addiction, this powerful substance is being hailed as a breakthrough treatment option. However, while some studies have shown promising results, conclusive evidence is still lacking.

Undeterred by uncertainty, Canada has invested $3 million in clinical trials to investigate the potential role of psilocybin in addressing alcohol addiction, treatment-resistant depression, and psychological distress among advanced-stage cancer patients. With such significant medical interest and growing public acceptance, it seems that shrooms are well on their way to becoming a mainstream form of therapeutic medicine.

New horizons for canadian laws on psychedelics

The emergence of 'shroom dispensaries can be seen as a direct result of Canada's groundbreaking decision to legalize cannabis in 2018. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government had previously stated that they were not looking to decriminalize drugs, however, subtle policy shifts in recent years have ignited hope and determination among psychedelics enthusiasts who see legalization as inevitable.

The first hint of change came in May 2022, when British Columbia, the province most affected by Canada's opioid and fentanyl crisis, was granted permission from the federal government to reduce possession charges for a variety of narcotics including heroin, cocaine, and MDMA, but notably excluding psilocybin. This sparked similar pleas from Toronto's city council.

Then, in January 2023, Alberta made history as the first province in Canada to regulate psychedelics for therapeutic use. This groundbreaking move allowed for the controlled usage of substances like psilocybin, LSD, and ecstasy in rare medical circumstances.

Now, the country was buzzing with anticipation and debate over the potential benefits and risks of this new frontier in drug policy.

Amidst growing calls for drug reform, voices within Canada are urging the country to loosen its tight grip on psychedelics. The goal: to improve access to substances that could potentially have therapeutic benefits for those who seek them.

“As far as I'm concerned, prohibition is the root cause of all the problems attributed to drugs," stated Larsen, owner of a store that specializes in selling various psychedelics including Peyote and coca-leaf tea from Bolivia. As he spoke, the faint aroma of earthy herbs and spices filled the air, like a mystical incense guiding the conversation.

Despite the controversial nature of selling such substances, law enforcement officers in major Canadian cities have taken a hands-off approach. In Vancouver, Toronto, and Ottawa, police have openly admitted their focus is on tackling the deadly opioid and fentanyl crisis currently plaguing their jurisdictions. This nationwide epidemic has already claimed over 40,000 lives since 2016 alone, according to the latest data released by canadian health authorities.