Amid the growing interest in cannabis, Mushrooms Canada is working to raise awareness of their product. Their efforts may soon be rewarded.

Canada placed psilocybin, the psychoactive ingredient in magic mushrooms, on its list of controlled substances in 1974. Although the production, sale and possession of fungi containing psilocybin is illegal, growers and retailers are increasingly finding ways to circumvent the law.

Mushrooms Canada: The Best Options for Buying Psilocybin Mushrooms in the Country

Unlike cannabis, which was legalized in 2018, mushrooms are still classified as an illegal substance under the federal Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. However, a shift in consumer trends has helped mushroom enthusiasts find new markets. In addition, a number of mushroom retailers are setting up shop in larger Canadian cities and smaller communities across the country.

Behind a tall fence at Optimi Health in Vancouver, co-founder Dane Stevens points to a blue warehouse stocked with vacuum-packed bags of various psilocybin-containing mushroom strains such as Chode Wave, Golden Teacher Infinity and Albino Penis Envy. Located within the growing realm of natural medicine, psilocybin is increasingly being used for mental wellness and personal growth.

Mushrooms can provide a variety of nutrients, including vitamin D, B vitamins and potassium. They also have antiviral and antifungal properties.

Ontario and British Columbia produce the bulk of mushroom exports in terms of quantity and sales value. Due to their geographic locations, both provinces benefit from the ability to export their products to Asia, where the prices are higher than in the United States.