Canada is the eighth largest mushroom Canada producer in the world. But you won’t find fields of fungus stretching to the horizon here: Most growers in the Great White North produce mushrooms indoors, which allows for year-round production and distribution to cities and towns. Last year, Canadian farmers sold 151,894 short tons of the mushroom, most of which were exported to the United States.

The most common varieties of mushroom in Canada are white button and brown button mushrooms, followed by portobellos, shiitake and oyster mushrooms. The most valuable, though, is the psilocybin mushroom. Psilocybin is a hallucinogen, which is why it is considered a Schedule III substance under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. The growing, sale and possession of psilocybin mushrooms is illegal with some exemptions for people living with mental health disorders.

Fungi Fun: Exploring Mushroom Culture in Canada

A psychedelic experience induced by psilocybin can last for several hours and can cause altered perception, enhanced pattern recognition and hallucinations. The effects can also be accompanied by nausea, anxiety and muscle twitching. Health Canada says it’s important to have a safe place to consume the mushroom if you decide to try it.

In 2022, a new wave of stores opened selling psilocybin mushrooms. Storefronts with names like Fun Guyz and Shroomyz popped up in Toronto and other Canadian cities. While RCMP say they’ve conducted raids at these locations, most of the shops continue to open. The Toronto storefronts boast paintings of colorful fungus on their storefronts and encourage customers to “walk into a new reality.” Get the latest health and medical news delivered to your inbox every Sunday.