The medicinal poppy industry has now been operating in Tasmania for over 30 years, and the State produces approximately 50% of the world’s legal poppy crop. The industry’s total value to the Tasmania economy is expected to be about $200 million. Tasmania also produces poppy seed for culinary purposes. Poppies are grown under licences issued by the Poppy Advisory and Control Board.
The poppy (Papaver somniferum) is unique, as it is the only plant capable of biologically synthesising the alkaloid morphine. It also produces at least twenty other alkaloids of which the most important are codeine and thebaine. These opiate alkaloids are the raw materials used in the production of many analgesic preparations and related medicinal compounds.
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