A thriving pharmaceutical industry is growing poppies for medicinal use in the United Kingdom, Europe, and Australia, but not in Canada. This not only presents a large diversification option for the Southern Alberta agricultural sector but offers long term employment and growth opportunities for this and numerous other industries.
A new variety of poppy with high levels of thebaine can be used to produce prescription drugs such as oxycodone and codeine and does not contain the narcotic properties of traditional poppies.
Communicate the importance of the thebaine industry to the Government of Canada; and
Engage, invest in and provide support to this new emerging industry as part of the long-
term strategy for Alberta’s economic diversification, including:
Investigating artificial synthesized alternatives; and,
Providing incentives to encourage the industry to locate and remain in Alberta.
2022
If you have any questions, contact Dana Severson at dseverson@abchamber.ca or (780) 425-4180 ext. 2.