Are Magic Mushrooms Legal In Toronto?

A current concern related to the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms is the challenge faced by individuals confined to hospital beds who may benefit from psilocybin treatment. Access is difficult and unlawful for them. A current lawsuit is before the federal government on behalf of 8 plaintiffs, seeking greater access to medical psilocybin.

In Ontario, the enforcement of magic mushroom laws varies significantly by region. Some areas maintain a stricter stance, while others, especially major cities like Toronto, adopt a more lenient approach. 

In the city of Toronto, the municipal government has largely avoided legal action towards magic mushroom dispensaries. This may be because law enforcement efforts generally focus on dangerous drugs connected to organized crime, and drugs that lead to addiction and death.

Magic mushrooms are non-toxic, and have a low potential for addiction. Unlike other recreational and prescription drugs, they have almost no effect if you do them repeatedly, making them impossible to abuse. Even Health Canada acknowledges: "There is little evidence that people can become physically or psychologically dependent on magic mushrooms."

It’s encouraging to note that all major hospital groups & universities are conducting their own research into psilocybin. The University Health Network has been conducting “psychedelic psychotherapy” research since 2021 thanks to a grant from the Nikean Foundation. CAMH received federal funding in 2022 to start their own psilocybin research. Even the University of Toronto has been conducting its own research into the benefits of microdosing since 2019.