Psychedelic Mushrooms in Canada

Psychedelic mushrooms Canada have made a resurgence in popularity, and they are easy to find in the wild. While it’s legal to take them in the context of a research study or with a doctor’s prescription, it is illegal to grow, sell or carry them. And while Thomas Hartle was one of the first Canadians to receive a federal exemption to treat his stage-four colon cancer with magic mushrooms, he says that legal avenues to access the drug have been “shut off” as an illicit market flourishes.

From Nature to Wellness: Mushrooms in Canada

In Canada’s biggest cities, mushroom stores with names like Fun Guyz, Shroom City and House of Mushroom display paintings of rainbow fungi on their storefronts and welcome customers with slogans such as ‘Walk into a new reality’. But while the shops continue to open, raids are not uncommon and some have been shut down.

The pristine forests of British Columbia and Alberta are prime locations for finding wild mushrooms. There are a number of mycology societies in both provinces that organize mushroom forays in the spring and fall. Among the most popular fungi to pick are white mushrooms (B. edulis) with brown caps and thick stems. They produce low to moderate psilocybin activity and are favoured by people who want a short psychedelic trip.

The chanterelle (Cantharellus cibarius complex) is another popular mushroom, picked for both food and medicinal purposes. These yellow or orange-yellow fungi, found under coniferous and deciduous trees, are distinguished by their funnel-shaped stems that have gill-like ridges. Like other mushrooms, they produce psilocybin. But in order to harvest them legally, you must have a permit from Health Canada and the help of a doctor.