Opium poppy seed cultivation may take place only with permission

Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) has beautiful flowers. Nevertheless, the cultivation of the plant in Germany is heavily regulated. Because in addition to its flowers, opium poppy is mainly known for alkaloids, which include morphine among other things. Chemical derivatization of the substance produces heroin. Therefore, even hobby gardeners may only plant poppy seed seeds with the permission of the Federal Opium Agency, as informed by the Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices.

Cultivation of opium poppy is only allowed for certain varieties
The seeds of the opium poppy are available online. To prevent an abusive cultivation of the plant, both business people and hobby gardeners require official permission. Because opium poppy forms the basis for the production of heroin.

The Federal Opium Agency generally grants permits only for morphemic species of opium poppy. Thus, the summer poppy "Mieszko" and the winter poppy "Zeno Morphex" with a morphine content of less than 0.02 percent are allowed. The area under cultivation may not exceed ten square meters for private persons, despite a two-year authorization.

Opium poppy seeds are suitable for consumption
The seeds of the opium poppy do not fall under the law of narcotics and may be distributed legally. They are processed, for example, in sweet foods, such as in poppy seed poppy seed, poppy seed buns or yeast dumplings. The morphine used to make heroin is found only in the latex of the plant.

Other poppy species such as the perennial poppy (Papaver orientale) may legally be grown without permission. For hobby gardeners may be the better choice, because the effort is much lower. (Ag)

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