This came up on another messageboard I check out.
Where does medical grade opium come from (the stuff they make codeine and other pain killers out of)?
I never really thought about it, but is it grown in labs or greenhouses owned by the drug company or is there a country that is known for their “medical grade” opium?
Three types of opioids used in medicine.
Natural alkaloids of opium derived from the resin of the opium poppy: opium, morphine, codiene.
Semisynthetic derivatives of morphine: herroin, hydromorphone, oxycodone
Purely synthetic opioids, including meperidine, methadone and propoxyophene.
As for morphine (for example), I assume the manufacturers (in Canada Sabex, Faulding, Abbott, etc.) must use the actual poppy to get the natural alkaloids. A good question.
Opium poppies are legally grown under government license in Turkey and India, and probably other countries as well. Opium poppies are also illegally grown in both countries by those without the appropriate licenses.
Ah ha… that’s what I was looking for.
Thanks bibliophage!! 
A large proportion of the world’s legal opium is grown under Government licence in Tasmania (island State off the South of Australia).