The operation, which was still ongoing at the time of writing this article, began around 4:30 p.m.
Officers have arrested four people so far, but have confirmed more arrests may be made.
At the moment they are with the police, then possibly with the investigators, said Jeanne Drouin from the SPVM. Besides, the investigation will show us what will happen to these people.
Although the store has a storefront, the fact is that the production, sale and possession of magic mushrooms is illegal in Canada. Lawsuits could therefore be brought against the sellers and against the customers.
Located near the Jacques Cartier Bridge, the store is the thirteenth that FunGuyz has opened. According to the company’s website, there are already eleven in Ontario and another in Detroit.
The owners of these companies claim to be campaigners for the legalization of psilocybin, the active ingredient in magic mushrooms.
Products sold by FunGuyz in Montreal.
Photo: Radio Canada / Elyse Allard
The Montreal store was supposed to open its doors on Monday, but the opening has apparently been delayed. FunGuyz intends to open more stores across Montreal and elsewhere in Quebec.
Before it began, the SPVM emailed Radio-Canada a reminder that the retail sale of magic mushrooms and derivatives of their active ingredient, psilocybin, is regulated by the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act (LRCDAS).
“Because this drug is prohibited under Schedule III of the CDSA, the SPVM is entitled to apply the rule set out in the Criminal Code when criminal offenses are committed. »
– A quote from an excerpt from the SPVM email message
In general, the cabinet of Mayor Valérie Plante spoke out in favor of decriminalizing the mere possession of drugs. The municipal council also unanimously approved the corresponding declaration. However, the sale of psilocybin remains illegal and the SPVM will continue to enforce the law, the City of Montreal says.
The office of Minister of Public Safety, François Bonnardel, says they do not want such deals on Quebec territory. Selling this type of product can result in criminal prosecution.
Mushrooms in tea or chocolate
During Radio-Canada’s visit to the Montreal store on Tuesday, a man named Hector, who claims to be one of FunGuyz’s many owners, stated that the bags on display at the store were empty.
The actual products are kept in similar bags behind the counter and sold in capsules or dried and ground into chocolate, tea or the like; all in milligrams.
Dozens of customers came to the store during the day.
“It’s for my own good,” one of them said at the Radio-Canada mic. It’s either that or I’ll grow it myself.
“I’ve suffered from depression for a long time,” explained one customer as she left the company. It’s a test. It’s discovery.
With information from Élyse Allard, Aurélie Girard and Marie-Josée Paquette-Comeau