Police in Ontario continue to raid illegal psilocybin dispensaries, but the shops keep reappearing across the province. Despite being banned under federal law, so-called magic mushroom stores are operating openly in several cities, raising questions about enforcement and the future of drug policy in Canada.
Recent Raids Across Ontario
On Sept. 5, Hamilton police raided a Shroomyz location on Main Street, seizing $12,000 worth of psilocybin products and arresting an employee.
This follows other recent crackdowns:
Aug. 19: Toronto police raided a Fun Guyz store in Kensington Market.
Aug. 11 & 21: Vehicles crashed into two separate Shroomyz dispensaries in Toronto, one following a suspected arson.
Despite closures, many stores reopen within days under the same or new names.
Law Enforcement’s Response
Toronto police say enforcement is largely complaint-driven:
“As soon as these shops are closed, they often reopen shortly after under the same or different names.”
This pattern mirrors the pre-legalization cannabis era, when dispensaries were raided but continued operating until federal law changed.
Experts Weigh In
Andrew Hathaway, a University of Guelph professor specializing in Canadian drug policy, says police appear to be taking a “consistent blind eye” approach:
“Perhaps there’s a sense the envelope has been pushed, has become a little too visible, a little too out there.”
He noted that enforcement often comes after local complaints, not as part of a coordinated provincial strategy.
The Bigger Picture
Psilocybin mushrooms remain illegal under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, though limited medical exemptions exist. As debate over drug decriminalization grows, mushroom shops could follow the same trajectory as cannabis dispensaries — illegal until public and political pressure force regulatory change.
