When psilocybin (the active ingredient in magic mushrooms) was discovered to have therapeutic effects, researchers and entrepreneurs jumped on the opportunity to market the compound as a psychedelic drug. But while cannabis has seen widespread legalization, the sale of magic mushrooms and psilocin is still illegal in Canada.

Despite this, Shroom Canada Delivery shops specializing in the psychoactive drug have opened in droves across Canada over the past two years. The small stores, many with colorful mushroom paintings on their exteriors, often draw customers with promises of microdosing experiences. But skepticism persists over the safety and legality of the mushrooms, which can cause hallucinations and induce feelings of fear, anxiety or muscle twitches.

At the Vancouver store called Organic Shroom, a sign outside asks shoppers to “walk into a new reality.” Inside, customers buy a bag of mushroom powder or a cup of tea to take in small doses. The shop is one of a dozen across the city that sells psilocybin. Owner Dana Larsen says his business has remained open since 2020, and he plans to open more locations.

A Beginner’s Guide to Organic Shrooms in Canada

Outside the city, a pharma-grade mushroom farm is growing under strict conditions for Health Canada and clinical trials. Optimi Health, which operates the facility, uses advanced technology to regulate temperature, humidity and light to optimize mushroom growth. It also employs strict hygienic techniques to prevent contamination and regularly tests for contaminants and active compounds. Those efforts have positioned the facility as a major supplier of high-quality, psilocybin-enriched mushrooms for medical and research purposes.