Poppy plants, the cultivation of which is prohibited due to drug misuse potential, have been reportedly sold at an Agricultural Cooperative (JA) in Japan. The incident has shocked the local community and drawn sharp criticism, stirring an internal investigation within the cooperative. The extent of the sales and how the cooperative obtained the illegal crop remain unclear at this time.

In Japan, the cultivation of poppy plants is strictly regulated under the Narcotics and Psychotropics Control Law due to its potential misuse as a source of opium. This incident has raised concerns about the internal control and education within the cooperative, which could harm JA’s reputation, given its powerful role in Japanese agriculture.

In the US and EU, cultivation of poppies without a license is also illegal due to similar concerns about drug misuse. However, breaches in control systems in farming cooperatives are viewed very severely and can lead to strict sanctions.