Mushrooms vs. the Law: Inside FunGuyz’s Fight for Psychedelic Legalization

FunGuyz, Ontario's largest psilocybin retailer, has officially closed the doors of its 30 storefronts after years of high-profile defiance against Canadian drug laws. Known for its bold signage and open sales of magic mushrooms, the company has announced it will now operate entirely online. While this pivot is a direct response to intensified police raids, FunGuyz’s civil disobedience has sparked a larger debate about psilocybin legalization and echoes the early activism that paved the way for cannabis reform in Canada.

“We’re closing all 30 locations and transitioning to online,” said spokesperson Elwyn Smith. “There have been numerous raids from stores to warehouses to production centers. It cost us a lot of money to stay open.” Despite the closures, Smith remains defiant. “If they attack us online, then we’ll pop the 30 stores back open — maybe even 60.”

FunGuyz is following a well-trodden path of civil disobedience, a tactic that played a critical role in the cannabis movement. Before marijuana was legalized in Canada in 2018, unlicensed dispensaries openly sold cannabis, challenging the government to either enforce existing laws or adapt to changing public sentiment.

Similarly, FunGuyz has used visibility as a tool to normalize psilocybin use. By establishing storefronts in prominent locations across Ontario and even expanding to Montreal, the company has brought psilocybin into the public eye, making it harder for regulators to ignore the growing demand for psychedelics.

Lawyer Paul Lewin, who is representing a FunGuyz employee in a constitutional challenge, believes this approach is effective. “Psilocybin stores are playing a similar role to early cannabis dispensaries,” he said. “This kind of civil disobedience is moving the ball forward.”

Unlike cannabis, which had widespread recreational use before legalization, psilocybin has gained traction largely due to its potential therapeutic benefits. Studies have shown that psilocybin can help treat depression, PTSD, and anxiety, offering hope to individuals who haven’t responded to traditional treatments.

FunGuyz spokesperson Smith said the company’s mission is partly driven by the need for safe access. “Without stores like ours, people are forced to turn to dealers,” he said. “That risks exposure to contaminants like fentanyl or other dangerous substances.”

Although Health Canada offers limited access to psilocybin through its Special Access Program, advocates argue that the process is too restrictive and leaves many in need without options.

Psilocybin remains a Schedule III drug under Canada’s Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, meaning its sale and distribution are considered criminal offenses. Toronto police spokesperson Stephanie Sayer said enforcement decisions are typically based on community impact. “Our focus is largely on illegal drugs resulting in overdose deaths,” she explained. 1“But illegal dispensaries are investigated when reports are made.”

FunGuyz’s operations faced relentless scrutiny, with storefronts and warehouses subjected to over 120 raids. Despite this, Smith and others believe the company’s actions have legitimized the conversation around psychedelics.

“Many people thought our stores were legal because of how openly we operated,” Smith said. “That likely helped push the idea of legalization forward.”

The parallels between psilocybin and cannabis activism are hard to ignore. Both movements rely on public visibility, legal challenges, and shifting cultural attitudes to press for change. William Jaksa, a Toronto-based criminal lawyer, said storefronts like FunGuyz serve as a bridge to normalization.

“Civil disobedience helps people get used to the idea of these substances being available,” Jaksa said. “Once it’s no longer seen as strange or dangerous, legalization becomes easier to achieve.”

By moving online, FunGuyz is entering a new phase of its fight for psilocybin legalization. Smith believes this model will reduce costs and make it harder for authorities to intervene. “Without storefronts, we’ll be able to charge less and avoid the overhead,” he said. “It also makes investigations more complicated.”

Still, FunGuyz is prepared to return to physical locations if needed. “If we’re pushed too far, we’ll come back full force,” Smith warned. “This isn’t the end; it’s just a new chapter.”

As the debate over psilocybin continues, FunGuyz’s actions are shaping public perceptions and pushing the boundaries of Canada’s drug laws. Whether through storefronts, online sales, or courtroom challenges, the company is determined to keep the conversation going.

“Civil disobedience isn’t easy, but it’s effective,” said Lewin. “It’s about making people question the laws and recognize the need for change.”

For now, FunGuyz’s bold defiance has left an indelible mark on the fight for psilocybin legalization in Canada, proving that the path to reform often begins with those willing to take a stand.

Is civil disobedience the right way to push for psilocybin legalization?

• Yes, it’s a proven tactic for social change.
• Maybe, but it depends on the risks involved.
• No, it undermines the legal system.