Magic mushroom shop reopens one day after police shut it down
The FunGuyz store in Cambridge, Ont. reopened Wednesday, less than 24 hours after Waterloo regional police raided the magic mushroom dispensary and shut it down.
Officers were seen taking sealed bags out of the King Street location early Tuesday afternoon.
Police later confirmed they seized a large amount of suspected psilocybin in various forms, as well as cash.
A 20-year-old Kitchener man was charged with possession for the purpose of trafficking.
During the raid, loud bangs were heard coming from the store and police were seen carrying a sledgehammer and saw out of the building.
Waterloo regional police coming out of the FunGuyz magic mushroom shop in Cambridge, Ont. on Nov. 14, 2023. (Jeff Pickel/CTV Kitchener)
The owner, who has identified himself as Hector Hernandez, told CTV News after the raid that he planned on reopening.
“The job of the police is pretty self-evident,” he said Tuesday. “We know what to do and we don’t interfere with their duties. Our job, as part of this fight, is to remain open to the customers of Cambridge, for those who want access to psilocybin.”
Other magic mushroom dispensaries across Ontario have also been raided.
Stores in Brantford, Windsor and Wasaga Beach have previously been shut down.
Hernandez said he’s not dissuaded.
"The entire point of what we're doing is to change the sentiment and some of the misunderstandings surrounding psilocybin," he told CTV News Tuesday.
WRPS RESPONSE
On Wednesday, CTV News asked Waterloo regional police about FunGuyz’s plan to reopen.
Police advised against it.
“This is an illegal controlled substance, so once it's illegal it's probably best to not keep selling it,” said WRPS Const. Chris Iden.
FunGuyz staff estimated police seized more than $10,000 in product.
Inside the FunGuyz magic mushroom dispensary in Cambridge, Ont. on Nov. 15, 2023. (Heather Senoran/CTV Kitchener)
PLANS TO STAY OPEN
A spokesperson for FunGuyz told CTV News on Wednesday they have no problem reopening if they get raided by police again, and said they have enough product to put on store shelves.
“We have lots to stay open,” said spokesperson Reggie Floyd. “We have lots to keep every store stocked up.”
Inside the FunGuyz magic mushroom dispensary in Cambridge, Ont. on Nov. 15, 2023. (Heather Senoran/CTV Kitchener)
FunGuyz has 14 stores across Ontario and Quebec with a 15th location opening in Hamilton next week.
The Cambridge dispensary has only been open for about two weeks but Floyd said business has been booming, especially after news about the police raid got out.
“Cambridge has been one of the most successful openings in a very long time,” he said.
He also confirmed the man charged Tuesday was an employee.
“Every single employee is made aware of the risks. Nobody goes in there without that knowledge,” Floyd said.
Inside the FunGuyz magic mushroom dispensary in Cambridge, Ont. on Nov. 15, 2023. (Heather Senoran/CTV Kitchener)
The goal is to keep the conversation about magic mushrooms going, in the hopes Canada gets closer to legalization.
“We’re sort of fighting that with a little civil disobedience,” Floyd said.
-- With reporting by Heather Senoran, Jeff Pickel and Hannah Schmidt
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