Buy Shrooms Canada  is one of a growing number of stores across the country selling psychedelic mushrooms, even though they’re illegal. The shops, including ones in Toronto, Hamilton and Montreal, sell fresh, dried or powdered magic mushrooms and related products like gummies and chocolate, with some also offering workshops on safe mushroom cultivation. They’re also attempting to destigmatize the consumption of mushrooms, which some say can help treat mental health disorders such as anxiety and depression.

Mushrooms typically contain a mind-altering chemical called psilocybin, which can cause people to see, hear and feel things that aren’t real (hallucinations). The drug is considered a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Substances Act, meaning it’s legal only for research or with a prescription from a health-care provider for therapeutic use. Celia Bildfell, website lead for the Multidisciplinary Association for Psychedelics Studies Canada, says these shops take away from their mission of helping people with mental health issues through the therapeutic use of psilocybin.

Buy Shrooms in Canada: Find the Best Suppliers for Magic Mushrooms

Dana Larsen, owner of the Vancouver-based Buy Shrooms Canada chain, which has two locations, hopes to open more. He has been distributing a variety of fungi under the brand for about a year, and is looking to move into production as well. His facility uses “pharma-grade” mushrooms, which are grown in a controlled environment using advanced technology to regulate temperature, humidity and light for optimal growth. They’re then tested for consistency, safety and potency to ensure the quality of each batch.