Fun Guyz in downtown Barrie is still up and running despite a raid last month and charges against two people.
Psilocybin is a natural psychedelic prodrug produced by fungi, known as magic mushrooms. Products containing psilocybin are illegal in Canada but the 1 Dunlop St. W. location has been open for a few months while selling and advertising products containing psilocybin.
While legality remains an issue, according to the Fun Guyz website, there are nine Ontario locations with five in Toronto.
Fun Guyz communications manager Jack Williams told BarrieToday the raid had little effect on the day-to-day operations of the store.
“They raided the Barrie shop last month and took our TV and our open sign,” said Williams. “They went in at about 9 a.m. and we opened up a few hours later,” said Williams.
Barrie police communications co-ordinator Jennett Mays told BarrieToday the police seized more than a TV and open sign.
“Complaints were received and an investigation was commenced, “ said Mays. “A quantity of drugs was seized as part of that investigation and a 31-year-old Essa Township male and a 33-year-old Grimsby male are both facing charges of trafficking, possession for the purpose of trafficking and possession contrary to the Controlled Substances Act.”
When asked why the business wouldn’t be raided everyday if it were illegal to sell items, Mays said she couldn’t speak to that but that indeed “psilocybin is a prohibited substance under the Controlled Substances Act.”
A Windsor store just opened up, while a Wasaga Beach location was shut down in May. In that case, the owner did not have a business license.
Williams said he doesn’t understand how the shop can be raided with other issues facing the area.
“People come here to get a safe dosage rather than buying it from someone in an alley and they don’t know what is in it,” said Williams. “There are areas around the shop where people are high and buying drugs off the street, but police would rather waste resources to come in here. It just doesn’t make sense, we’re not hurting anyone.”
Part of what Fun Guyz does, says Williams, is educate.
“We have people come in who are dealing with many mental health issues and this product helps. I had a 74-year-old man call and ask about products. He used it back in his younger days but now wants it to relax. It is becoming accepted as something that helps,” said Williams. “We don’t promote recreational use, we are here for people who need it medicinally.”
According to Health Canada, the drug psilocybin can be given by exemption to the law by a chosen health professional.
Williams said that Fun Guyz only sells to customers aged 19 and everyone shows a piece of I.D., while also signing a waiver stating they understand their rights and the liabilities.
