Poppy Straw:

• Poppy straw is the husk left after the opium is extracted from pods.
• This poppy straw also contains a very small morphine content and if used in sufficient quantities, poppy straw can give a high.
• Possession, sale, use, etc. of poppy straw is regulated by the State Governments under the State Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Rules.
• Farmers sell the poppy straw to those licensed by the State Governments to purchase poppy straw.
• Any excess poppy straw is ploughed back into the field.
• Poppy straw is one of the narcotic drugs under the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 (NDPS Act).
• Hence, anyone possessing, selling, purchasing or using poppy straw without a license or authorization or in violation of any conditions of the license is liable to prosecution under the NDPS Act.

Alkaloids

• Alkaloids are a huge group of naturally occurring organic compounds which contain nitrogen atom or atoms (amino or amido in some cases) in their structures.
• These nitrogen atoms cause alkalinity of these compounds.
• Well-known alkaloids include morphine, strychnine, quinine, ephedrine, and nicotine.
• The medicinal properties of alkaloids are quite diverse. Morphine is a powerful narcotic used for the relief of pain, though its addictive properties limit its usefulness.
• Codeine, the methyl ether derivative of morphine found in the opium poppy, is an excellent analgesic that is relatively nonaddictive.

Opium Cultivation In India

• After independence, the control over cultivation and manufacture of opium became responsibility of the Central Government with effect from April, 1950.
• At present the Narcotics Commissioner along with the subordinates exercises all powers and performs all functions relating to superintendence of the cultivation of the opium poppy and production of opium.
• The Commissioner derives this power from the Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Act 1985 and Narcotic Drugs & Psychotropic Substances Rules, 1985.
• License for manufacture of certain types of narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances as well as permits for export and import of narcotic drugs, psychotropic and controlled substances are issued with the approval and permission of the Narcotics Commissioner.
• The Government of India announces the licensing policy for cultivation of opium poppy every year, prescribing the minimum qualifying yield for issue of or renewal of licence, maximum area that can be cultivated by an individual cultivator, the maximum benefit that can be allowed to a cultivator for damage due to natural causes, etc.
• The opium poppy can be cultivated only in such tracts as are notified by the Government.
• At present these tracts are confined to three States,viz. Madhya Pradesh, Rajasthan and Uttar Pradesh.
• Mandsaur district of Madhya Pradesh and Chittorgarh and Jhalawar Districts of Rajasthan constitute about 80% of the total area cultivated.
• India is one of the few countries internationally permitted (by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime ) to cultivate opium poppy for export.

Uses

1. Opium is unique in its therapeutic value and is indispensable in the medical world.
2. It also finds use in Homeopathy and Ayurveda or Unani systems of indigenous medicines.
3. The opium which is used as Analgesics, Anti-Tussive, Anti spasmodic and as a source of edible seed-oil, acts as a medicinal herb.