When it comes to regulating magic mushrooms in Canada there are a number of things that you should remember. Possession, sale, and use of psilocybin mushrooms are illegal. However, the sale of spores and kits are considered legal and is sold in stores and shops locally and online. According to the Canadian Controlled Drugs and Substances Act, it is illegal to possess, obtain or produce magic mushrooms without a prescription or license because these are classified under schedule III.
Buying and use of psilocybin mushrooms in Canada
Canadian law clearly states that psilocybin is an illegal substance which has powerful and intense psychoactive effects. Possession and use of this mushroom are illegal however there is a loophole in buying psilocybin. The sale of dried and fresh magic mushrooms is illegal but purchasing spores and kits to grow mushrooms is legal. Spores and kits are available from actual grow and accessories shops found locally and you can also purchase these online.
Psilocybin mushrooms actually grow almost anywhere around the world, even in Canada. Psilocybin is the chemical that makes magic mushrooms very intense. It is found in hundreds of species of fungi which is known as magic mushrooms. Psilocybin is actually very common that you may even have one growing in your own backyard.
Psilocybin has been used throughout history for their medicinal and psychoactive effects. It is believed that aboriginal Australians started using magic mushrooms for rituals and ceremonies and this practice continued to Mesoamerican cultures that still use psilocybin till today.
Why psilocybin is prohibited
Psilocybin-containing plants date back to the 60s and 70s when an all-out war on drugs was conducted internationally. LSD and psilocybin were hallucinogenic drugs that were used by counterculture movements during this era. These movements were also seen as a possible way to blame other people for the government’s power over anti-war and against liberal groups.
The United Nations, headed by the US, created the Vienna Convention of 1971. This was a movement to counter the popularity of psychotropic drugs such as LSD, psilocybin, and MDMA. The Vienna Convention created a scheduling system for all participating countries in grouping drugs into different categories of harm. 183 countries have now agreed to use this classification creating stronger sanctions for the use of psychedelic substances. The Vienna Convention led to the creation of the US Psychotropic Substances Act and the UK Misuse of Drugs Act.
The Vienna Convention was created to target the creation or manufacture of synthetic psychotropic drugs like LSD and MDMA. However, psilocybin is a natural substance. This is why many countries, even countries included in the Vienna Convention interpret the regulation of psilocybin differently. And again despite this huge error, many countries have decided to classify psilocybin as a schedule I drug and even enforcing very strict fines and punishments to those that possess and sell this substance.
Does psilocybin cause harm?
To this day, there is no evidence that psilocybin mushrooms cause harm. When used occasionally and sensibly, short term or long term, there is no evidence that psilocybin and other psychedelic substances can cause harm. There is even evidence that psilocybin and other substances that cause psychoactive effects can treat depression and anxiety.
Countries where psilocybin is somewhat legal to use and purchase
The following countries may allow the cultivation of mushrooms or the sale of spores. Some of these countries may have specific laws against psilocybin but are not actively enforced at all.
- Canada
Dried mushrooms are illegal to possess, purchase and use, however, there are no laws that prohibit the possession and the consumption of fresh mushrooms in Canada. As mentioned, it is legal to purchase grow kits and spores. Psilocybin is a schedule III drug here and prison time awaits people who possess and manufacture of this substance.
- Austria
A new law has decriminalized psilocybin in Austria. When you are caught with possessing psilocybin, you will be required to attend therapy. You can legally purchase grow kits and spores and you may also grow your own mushrooms as long as you don’t use these as hallucinogenic drugs or eat them.
- Costa Rica
The legality of using, possessing and selling of magic mushrooms in Costa Rica is still uncertain although there are a lot of mushrooms that grow in the country.
- Indonesia
There are harsh penalties for people caught possessing psilocybin mushrooms in Indonesia but despite this, you can purchase and use shrooms found on the Gili islands near Bali.
- Mexico
Psilocybin mushrooms are illegal in Mexico but it is still widely used in traditional and sacramental events.
- US
Despite psilocybin classified as a schedule I drug in the country, it is legal to purchase spores and kits in most states as long as you are not using it to grow mushrooms. Selling spores are prohibited in California, Georgia, and Idaho. It is legal to grow psilocybin mushrooms in New Mexico.
Countries where magic mushrooms are legal to buy, sell and use
You can purchase, possess, sell and consume some form of psilocybin mushrooms when you are at the following countries
- Brazil
Mushrooms that contain psilocybin are not illegal to sell, consume or possess. There have been no arrests related to psilocybin in Brazil.
- The British Virgin Islands
Psilocybin mushrooms are not to be sold and transported in the country but possession and consumption are legal. Tourists often come to the islands to purchase from shops and even online. This is where you will find the famed “shrooms shake.”
- Jamaica
As long as you behave responsibly, magic mushroom use is completely legal in Jamaica. You can even go on a magic mushroom retreat while you are in the country.
- Netherlands
You can purchase and consume psilocybin as “magic truffles” in the Netherlands. Spores and grow kits are legal to purchase and you can buy these from selected shops and specialty stores online.
Countries where magic mushrooms are illegal
It is completely illegal to purchase, consume and sell magic mushrooms in Australia, Bulgaria, Belgium, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, New Zealand, Poland Russia, South Africa, Sweden, Turkey, and the UK.
