Issue
Growing poppies for medicinal use constitutes a thriving industry in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, but not in Canada. This not only presents an economic diversification opportunity for Southern Alberta’s agricultural sector, offering long term employment and growth opportunities for this and numerous other industries, but would provide Canada with a homegrown source of vital medications.
Background
Despite thriving industries in the United Kingdom, Europe and Australia growing poppy for medicinal use, Canada – as a major importer of these products – has not been involved in the growing of poppies.
In 2018, the last year for which this information is available, 12.7% of Canadians, or approximately 3.7 million people, had reported using opioid pain relievers in the previous 12 months.
Our Recommendations
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Communicate the importance of the thebaine industry to the Government of Canada; and,
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Engage, invest in and provide support to this new emerging industry as part of the long-term strategy for Alberta’s economic diversification, including:
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Investigating artificial synthesized alternatives; and,
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Providing incentives to encourage the industry to locate and remain in Alberta.
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- Support the creation of a new pharmaceutical industry by recognizing the potential of farming and processing of high-level thebaine poppy in Canada; and,
4. That applications be expeditiously reviewed and approved by Health Canada and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency to help diversify the economy.
Topic
Year
2025
Contact
If you have any questions, contact Dana Severson at dseverson@abchamber.ca or (780) 425-4180 ext. 2.