Jump to content

FunGuyz

Add links
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
(Redirected from Fun Guyz)
FunGuyz location in Downtown St. Catharines.

FunGuyz is a Canadian magic mushroom business. It operates illegally, as sale and possession of magic mushrooms is illegal in Canada.[1] Until November 2024, the business operated physical storefronts, with at least 17 stores in Ontario[2] and one in Quebec.[3] These stores were frequently raided and their products confiscated.[4][5][6] The raided stores would usually reopen quickly after the seized merchandise had been replaced,[7] with the exception of the five locations that were permanently closed by local authorities. In November 2024, FunGuyz announced plans to close all of its physical stores but keep its online business open.[8]

The owner of the business believes that criminal charges would make a constitutional challenge for the legality of psilocybin possible due to similar actions taken by businesses before the broader legalization of cannabis. He states that his products are for therapeutic use; however, the substance has not been approved by Health Canada.[3] Identities for spokespeople of the business have varied.[2] As of August 2023, police have sought an arrest warrant for the owner of the stores.[9]

Background

[edit]

Psilocybin occurs naturally in over 200 species of fungi, some of which are colloquially known as "magic mushrooms". Upon this prodrug's ingestion it is converted into psilocin, which produces hallucinogenic effects. Both substances are considered Schedule III substances under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[10] Other illegal mushroom dispensaries unaffiliated with FunGuyz have operated storefronts; such as Shroomyz and The Mushroom Cabinet. Shroomyz was the first such illegal mushroom dispensary in Canada.[11]

The only legal method of obtaining psilocybin is through Health Canada's Special Access Program after all possible treatment options have been exhausted.[12] As of 2020, sixteen healthcare professionals were legally exempt from the laws prohibiting the possession of psilocybin.[13] As of 2021, forty-six patients were granted exemptions under the same program.[14] Psilocybin has been used in some clinical trials but has not received formal approval from Health Canada and has limited comprehensive research supporting its use.[12] Valorie Masuda is a Canadian physician certified in prescribing psychedelics; she advocates for psilocybin to be more accessible in tandem with being regulated to prevent safety hazards that may occur through illicit use.[15]

History

[edit]

FunGuyz started operating as an illegal business in 2023.[16] FunGuyz operated physical storefronts before announcing their closure in November 2024.[8] There were stores in Barrie,[16] Bradford,[17] Brampton,[18] Brantford,[19] Cambridge,[20] Chatham,[21] Hamilton,[22] Kitchener,[23] London,[24] Montreal,[3] Niagara Falls,[25] Oshawa,[26] Ottawa,[27] Preston,[28] Richmond Hill,[5] St. Catharines,[25] St. Thomas,[17] Toronto (which had 10 locations),[8] Wasaga Beach,[17] and Windsor.[25] The stores operated without a business license.[29] Customers were required to pay in cash when making transactions.[30] Potential customers were also required to be at least 19 years old and sign a liability waiver.[31]

Each store was raided by police but typically reopened, with the exception of the five stores that were shut down permanently by local authorities. These raided stores would reopen after the seized merchandise was replaced.[7] The storefront located in Barrie also had two employees charged with trafficking and possession of illegal drugs; after the raid, the store reopened.[16] In August 2023, an employee at the St. Catharines storefront was charged with psilocybin trafficking and proceeds of property obtained by crime.[32] When the company expanded outside the province of Ontario with a location that opened in Montreal, it was raided the same day it opened and four employees were arrested.[3] The store was raided an additional two times during its first month of business.[33] In 2024, police seized merchandise from several FunGuyz stores, including dried psilocybin mushrooms and psilocybin-infused items such as candies, chocolates, and tea. Police also seized dimethyltryptamine (DMT) vape pens at two stores.[6][5] DMT is a naturally-occurring hallucinogenic drug that produces similar effects to psilocin but with greater intensity and a shorter duration. Like psilocybin and psilocin, DMT is a Schedule III substance under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.[34]

Individual police forces have the ability to decide which matters to prioritize.[35] When Barrie's police force communications coordinator reiterated that the products the store sells are indeed illegal, they declined to answer when a journalist asked them why the store was not raided daily.[16] The Toronto Police Service has indicated that dealing with these illegal businesses is not a high priority.[36] The Waterloo Regional Police Service has stated that it has collaborated with other police forces in Ontario about these illegal businesses and that "there is a large ongoing investigation taking place behind the scenes".[20] In 2023, their Wasaga Beach, Bradford, and St. Thomas locations were shut down by local authorities due to the illegality of their business operations.[17] In 2024, the stores located in Brantford[19] and Kitchener were also permanently closed by police.[23] In October 2024, police shut down 3 magic mushroom labs, which they believed were being produced for commercial businesses.[37]

See also

[edit]
[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ "Magic mushroom store opens up in Windsor amid push for legalization Social Sharing". CBC News. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  2. ^ a b Dhir, TJ. "It's been raided twice, so why is this magic mushroom store in Windsor still open?". CBC News. Retrieved 29 November 2023.
  3. ^ a b c d MacDonald, Thomas. "FunGuyz magic mushroom dispensary to reopen after police raid, experts doubt it'll advance drug policy". CityNews Everywhere. The Canadian Press. Retrieved 1 August 2023.
  4. ^ Gilmour, Matt (9 June 2023). "Plante vows to crack down on illegal magic mushroom dispensary slated to open in Montreal". CTV News. Archived from the original on 10 June 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Casaletto, Lucas (2024-05-02). "Over $63,000 in magic mushrooms seized in Richmond Hill". CityNews Toronto. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  6. ^ a b "Downtown Windsor magic mushroom dispensary raided by cops for 4th time, 1 arrested". CBC News. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 12 September 2024.
  7. ^ a b Shetty, Aastha. "Raided by police one day, open for business the next. How do FunGuyz illegal mushroom shops operate?". CBC News. Retrieved 26 April 2024.
  8. ^ a b c Shetty, Aastha. "'We give up': Illegal magic mushroom chain FunGuyz closes all 30 Canadian locations". CBC News. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  9. ^ "Owner of downtown magic mushroom shop is now a wanted man: Windsor police". CBC News. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  10. ^ Donnini, Alessio. "London's 1st magic mushroom store, the latest in Ontario, could test limits of authorities' tolerance". CBC News. Archived from the original on 5 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  11. ^ To, Michael. "Magic mushroom shop shut down by police one day after opening in Hamilton". CBC News. Archived from the original on 6 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  12. ^ a b O'Neill, Natasha (26 April 2023). "Can psychedelics aid Canada's mental health crisis? One expert says yes". CTV News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  13. ^ Dubinski, Kate. "Some doctors, therapists get Health Canada permission to use magic mushrooms". CBC News. Archived from the original on 29 June 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  14. ^ Petrovich, Curt. "Health Canada dragging feet on approving magic mushrooms for therapeutic use, patients and advocates say". CBC News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 7 July 2023.
  15. ^ Elsluffi, Rachelle. "This Ottawa store is selling magic mushrooms to protest 'unjust' laws". CBC News. Archived from the original on 7 July 2023. Retrieved 6 July 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d Gibson, Shawn (6 July 2023). "Police deem Barrie shop 'illegal' but Fun Guyz still selling". Collingwood Today. Archived from the original on 2023-07-07. Retrieved 2023-07-07.
  17. ^ a b c d Baker, Jennifer. "Magic mushroom dispensary opens in Cambridge". CTV News. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  18. ^ Kurek, Dominik. "FunGuyz closes most stores across Ontario but continues selling magic mushrooms online". Inside Halton. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
  19. ^ a b Caudle, Daniel. "Magic mushroom dispensary shut down in Brantford". CTV News Kitchener. Retrieved 3 May 2024.
  20. ^ a b Anderson, Erin. "'We will continue our efforts': WRPS Chief on illegal magic mushroom dispensaries". CityNews Everywhere. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  21. ^ "FunGuyz mushroom dispensary in Chatham-Kent raided days after opening". CBC News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  22. ^ Wilson, Codi. "$100K worth of magic mushrooms seized after 3 dispensaries shut down in Hamilton, police say". CP24. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  23. ^ a b Anderson, Erin. "Magic mushroom dispensary in Kitchener now permanently closed". City News Everywhere. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  24. ^ Donnini, Alessio. "London's 1st magic mushroom store, the latest in Ontario, could test limits of authorities' tolerance". CBC News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  25. ^ a b c "Magic mushroom shop search leads to St. Catharines arrest". St. Catharines Standard. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Three arrested after alleged magic mushroom shop raided twice in Oshawa". Durham Radio News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  27. ^ von Rooy, Natalie. "A behind-the-scenes look into an illegal magic mushroom shop operating openly in Ottawa". CTV News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  28. ^ Betts, Matt. "New magic mushroom shop in Preston raises legal, moral concerns". Cambridge Today. Retrieved 13 November 2023.
  29. ^ Bicknell, Brian. "Illegal magic mushroom dispensary set to open Friday". CTV News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  30. ^ Carruthers, Dale. "At London store selling illegal drugs, a wait for police – but no worry". The London Free Press. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  31. ^ Paul, Rob (17 February 2023). "Mushroom dispensary refuses to stay closed despite police raid". BradfordToday. Archived from the original on 18 March 2023. Retrieved 5 July 2023.
  32. ^ "St. Catharines Detectives Seize Psilocybin (Magic Mushrooms) During Search Warrant". Niagara Regional Police Service. Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  33. ^ Deland, Maxime; Robitalle, Audrey. "Une troisième perquisition en un mois à la boutique de champignons magiques FunGuyz". TVA Nouvelles (in French). Retrieved 4 August 2023.
  34. ^ Branch, Legislative Services (2024-06-20). "Consolidated federal laws of Canada, Controlled Drugs and Substances Act". laws-lois.justice.gc.ca. Retrieved 2024-09-12.
  35. ^ Stober, Eric. "'Magic mushrooms' are still illegal in Canada. How can stores be opening?". Global News. Retrieved 25 June 2024.
  36. ^ Callan, Isaac. "Are magic mushroom stores sprouting around Toronto operating in a legal grey area?". Global News. Retrieved 26 May 2024.
  37. ^ Rodrigues, Gabby. "3 magic mushroom labs in Ontario shut down by police". Global News. Retrieved 18 October 2024.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=FunGuyz&oldid=1271877858"