Canada mushrooms are the fruit of fungi, classed within the major groups Basidiomycetes and Ascomycetes. Hundreds of varieties grow wild throughout Canada, from sea level to alpine environments. Some have medicinal properties, while others, like the deadly fly agaric (Amanita virosa), can cause hallucinations. Others, such as the chanterelle (Cantharellus species) and pine mushrooms (Tricholoma species), are considered edible. But most are not, and some, like the death cap (Amanita phalloides), can be fatal.

The bulk of mushroom production in Canada takes place in climate controlled facilities where farmers spread a layer of spawn over peat moss, then manipulate the environment to encourage microscopic fungi to form. They then hand pick and trim the mushrooms before packaging them for the grocery store.

A hectare, or 2.5 acres, of mushrooms produces about 1,500 kilograms of product—more than enough to make 1.2 billion all-dressed pizzas. In 2021, Canada produced a record 151,894 short tons of fresh and canned mushrooms.

Psilocybin, the psychedelic compound in magic mushrooms, is legal to possess and grow in Canada under the Food Act. But a Canadian therapist is challenging Health Canada to permit his patients to use it for medical purposes, arguing that banning the drug violates Canadians’ right to “life, liberty and

Canadamushrooms: Your Source for Quality Fungi

If he is successful, this could open the door for other legal psilocybin dispensaries to open across the country. But police won’t necessarily raid every shop — they may have more pressing issues to pursue, says a lawyer who specializes in drug policy.

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