Pubdate: Wed, 17 Jan 2001
Source: State Journal-Register (IL)
Copyright: 2001 The State Journal-Register
Contact:  P.O. Box 219, Springfield, IL 62705-0219
Fax: (217) 788-1551
Website: http://www.sj-r.com/
Author: Joel Adkins

GRANNY WON'T BE GROWING POPPIES ANY MORE

Dear Editor,

In his recent letter, Don Hanrahan ironically applauds the opposition for 
looking into the cultivation of hemp.  He jokingly posits that allowing 
granny to grow poppies in her flower garden led to the depravity of poppy 
seed buns and hence to kids shooting smack.

In fact, granny is no longer permitted to grow poppies, or at least not the 
opium poppy -- Papaver somniferum.  Here's a notice that appears in the 
Thompson & Morgan Seed Catalog for 2001: "We regret that due to a ruling by 
the Drug Enforcement Administration, we're unable to to supply somniferum 
Poppies to the United States."  Other seed catalogs carry a similar 
notice.  I'm reminded of the old "Song of the Temperence Union."

"We never eat fruitcake because it has rum

and one little taste makes a man on the bum.

Oh, can you imagine a disgustinger sight

than a man eating fruitcake until he is tight?"

And

"We never eat cookies because they have yeast

and one little taste makes a man like a beast

Oh, can you imagine a greater disgrace

than a man in the gutter with crumbs on his face?"

Joel Adkins

Illiopolis
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