YES! Somniferum Poppies are 100% LEGAL to grow for their Seeds & Aesthetics 

To learn how,

SEE OUR POPULAR TUTORIAL:

‘How to Grow Somniferum Poppies’ HERE

There is most definitely a ‘Grey Area’ of Confusion on this Matter – and it seems to be quite the Conversation on every Gardening Blog, Video Comment, or Forum I read these days.

As a Master Botanist with a PHD in Bio-Genetics, I concluded that there are THREE main Factors the Confusion stems from:

1. Several Conflicting Sources of Information on the Web, that people StumbleUpon while Searching, for Example:, ‘Tips about Growing Somniferum Poppies’ in their area (USDA Zone, State, or Country).
2. So, depending on how one might go about their ‘Web search‘, will variably effect the kind of Info that gets returned in their search results. 
3. Therefore, it all has to do the Grower’s ‘Intent’, since that will probably dictate the way they go about their ‘Web Search’.   

So, on ONE Side of the Spectrum:

 The average Gardener who purchased a ‘Living Somniferum Plant Start‘ at their Local Nursery, would probably perform a Search on Google for something like: “Gardening Tips for Transplanting Somniferum Poppies’

Or perhaps, ‘What are Papaver somniferum Poppies’?

..are much more likely to come across one of many Legitimate Sources (Shown ABOVE) such as the ‘Wikipedia‘ or  ‘WSU’s Vegetable Research & Extension Center’ Website.

NO! Opium is NOT Legal.

“Cuz, the DEA says the Opium Poppy (and Poppy Straw) is a Schedule II Narcotic. So, since I have no clue what Schedule II is, & can only imagine what people snort through Poppy Straws, it must mean that it’s like, totally ILLEGAL…and stuff.” -‘Druggie Gardener‘

PEOPLE REALLY DO SAY THOSE THINGS! But the facts are this. A Schedule II Narcotic is NOT Illegal. It just means they need to be PRESCRIBED by a Licensed Physician. ONLY Schedule I Drugs are Illegal (such as LSD, PCP, Weed, etc). We do NOT Condone the use of anything illegal. 

That’s right. MANY PEOPLE DIDN’T KNOW THAT YOU CAN ACTUALLY GET A PRESCRIPTION FOR OPIUM, METH, AND EVEN COCAINE! BUT HEY, THAT’S WHY I WRITE THIS, TO CLEAR THE CONFUSION.

For the REAL Facts, please Read: The DEA Fact Sheet on OPIUM

Or, you could see our TUTORIAL on ‘GROWING Opium POPPIES’ HERE

But, on the Opposite side of the Spectrum,

The reason for referring to the DEA’s Statements above, had to do with all that mumbo jumbo I spoke of in the Green Section about ‘Grower’s ‘Intent’. Remember all that? How “INTENT’ can usually influence how one goes about “Searching” for, and GATHERING, their Info?

A ‘Druggie’ Gardener who has illicit Intentions, will most likely look up Laws having to do with “Growing Opium”, only to end up at the DEA’s Website which states that “Opium Production’ & Processing ‘Poppy Straw’ is Illegal…bla bla bla”.

 
What the ‘Druggie’ fails to realize though, is that the DEA already Pre-defines the Intentions of the reader due to the very fact that their referring to the poppy in that regard. Because “Opium” and “Poppy Straw” are both terms used in reference to illicit use, or for manufacturing Drugs.