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Both were locations of Shroomyz, which had eleven locations, with several attacked in recent months. According to media reports, a number of dispensaries were also attacked and set on fire in Ottawa in March.聽

Ottawa police arson and explosion unit is investigating, with no word on whether there is a link between the attacks.聽

“As the investigation is ongoing, we are unable to provide further information at this time,” an Ottawa police spokesperson said.

In 色色啦, in early August, Shroomyz Yonge Street location was first set on fire and then had a car drive through the front door in a second attack a week later. Later in the month, Shroomyz’s Annex location also had a vehicle driven through its front door.

Late last month, Mushroom Land, a dispensary in Scarborough on Kingston Road also had a vehicle driven through its storefront.

As of last week, Shroomyz Yonge Street location appears to be closed, and the Annex location had been rebuilt, but instead of glass, now has concrete brick to reinforce its storefront. Both the Annex and Queen Street locations of Shroomyz installed bollards in front of their stores. The bollards were installed without proper approvals, but due to the recurring issues of vehicle attacks, the city is allowing the dispensaries to retroactively apply for permission.

鈥淭he City is aware of recent issues at these locations and the bollards may remain in place while the application is underway,鈥� said Antonia Markos, director of permits & enforcement, in a statement to the Star.

As well, over a three night period in May, eight dispensaries were attacked, with seven incidents involving the businesses being shot at. One dispensary in Barrie also had a vehicle driven into it in May. At that time, both FunGuyz and Shroomyz locations were targeted, and a representative from the former dispensary spoke with the Star.

鈥淲e鈥檝e been in contact with other mushroom dispensaries, like Shroomyz and some other ones. They targeted all of us. But from the cameras, they looked like young kids, not very professional,鈥� said a man who gave his name as Stefan, who represents FunGuyz. The operators of this chain have used pseudonyms when talking to the media. 鈥淚t鈥檚 also happening all over the province too.”

Despite the Mushroom Land attack, many of the recent attacks do seem to be focusing on Shroomyz locations. Attempts by the Star to speak to representatives of Shroomyz have not been successful.

Part of the issue is that despite operating like legitimate businesses, these mushroom dispensaries are illegal. FunGuyz, which at one point had almost 30 locations in Ontario and Quebec, and Shroomyz are two of the best known chains, because of their number of locations. But there are several other shops that have followed them into the storefront psilocybin business.

鈥淚t鈥檚 a profit-driven machine that is blatantly committing criminal activity, hiding behind, 鈥榦h, we鈥檙e trying to push for legalization,’鈥� said Detective Mike Cook of York Region Police, which did a lengthy investigation of FunGuyz, in which $3.5 million worth of magic mushrooms and dimethyltryptamine were seized and 15 people were charged last April.

So while these illegal dispensary chains are considered organized crime by police, authorities will not say if there is a turf war going on, or if there is any connection between the attacks in the city, or across the province.

鈥淭hese recent incidents at illegal dispensaries are under active investigation. Those who choose to profit from selling psilocybin and other illegal substances are putting everyone at risk. These markets attract violence and undermine community safety,鈥� said Stephanie Sayer, a spokesperson for 色色啦 police, when asked if the 色色啦 attacks were connected last month.

鈥淭he 色色啦 Police Service continues to investigate in order to hold accountable those responsible for both the violence and the operation of these illegal dispensaries.鈥�