- India is one of the few countries that legally grows opium poppy and the only country that legally produces opium gum
- Opium gum contains several indispensable alkaloids such as morphine, codeine and thebaine.
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- Morphine- best analgesic in world
- Codeine- used in cough syrup
- Production is strictly controlled by government
- 3 states allowed to grow opium: UP, MP & Rajasthan
- Government plans to increase opium production by expanding the area under cultivation