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12 common foods illegal to grow in your backyard

Cultivating and nurturing plants is a great hobby, but not everything can be grown in your backyard. Some foods are illegal to cultivate due to reasons ranging from environmental concerns to legal restrictions. In this article, we’ll uncover some surprising foods you cannot legally grow at home and the reasons behind these regulations.

Coca Plants

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Growing coca in your backyard is considered a criminal offense in many places, including the U.S. because cocaine is an addictive drug that causes health problems and encourages crime. In some cultures, Coca leaves have traditional uses, such as making tea or chewing them for muscle relaxation and stress relief, but they are tightly controlled. While the plant is legal for traditional uses in countries like Colombia, Peru, and Bolivia, it is best to avoid cultivating this highly regulated plant in your garden.

Sassafras

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Sassafras is a native North American plant that has historically been used for medicinal purposes and cooking by Native Americans. The bark and roots of sassafras have a high concentration of safrole, a chemical the FDA has banned for its carcinogenic properties. Safrole is also used in the production of the illegal drug Ecstasy (MDMA). Consuming as little as 5 mL of sassafras can be lethal, and its side effects include vomiting, high blood pressure, hallucinations, sweating, and hot flashes.

Absinthe Wormwood

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Absinthe Wormwood is known for its use in the alcoholic drink Absinthe, which has a controversial history due to its hallucinogenic properties. While Absinthe is now legal in many regions, growing the plant itself may still be restricted. This aromatic herb, used in traditional medicines, has faced legal challenges, particularly in the U.S., where regulations by the FDA and TTB govern its thujone content.

Magic Mushrooms

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Magic mushrooms are illegal to cultivate in many places due to their active compound, psilocybin, which can cause hallucinations. Growing these mushrooms in your backyard can lead to serious legal consequences, as psilocybin is classified as a controlled substance in numerous countries. Magic mushrooms’ cultivation, possession, or distribution is heavily regulated despite their use in specific cultural and medicinal practices.

Bitter Almonds

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Bitter Almond contains a toxic chemical called amygdalin, which converts to cyanide when consumed. This can cause serious health issues, including cyanide poisoning, breathing problems, and nervous system slowdown. Because of these risks, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration strictly regulates the cultivation of bitter almonds. Due to its potential dangers, it is best to avoid growing bitter almonds in your garden.

Tropical Soda Apple

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Tropical soda apple is a perennial shrub native to Brazil and Argentina but has become an invasive weed in various parts of the world, including the United States. Efforts are being made to control its spread in multiple regions. Due to its invasive nature, this plant contaminates pastures and crop fields, which in turn reducing productivity. Its foliage is unpalatable to livestock, though cattle may eat the mature fruit, aiding in seed dispersal.

Poppies

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Growing Poppies can be legally risky, depending on the species. The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum) is illegal to grow in many regions, including the United States, due to its potential to produce opiates like heroin, morphine, and codeine. Even possession of opium poppy seeds can attract legal attention. Law enforcement agencies often destroy opium poppy plants, even if intended for ornamental purposes. Several poppy varieties, such as the prickly (Argemone Polyanthemos) and California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), can be grown legally.

Loganberries

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Loganberries, discovered in the 19th century, are a hybrid between blackberries and raspberries. They have become popular in the U.S. Pacific Northwest but are restricted in some regions. This is because they can cross-breed with other berry types, potentially threatening the genetic purity of local species. Despite their great flavor, it is vital to be aware of regional regulations before planting loganberries in your garden.

Hemp

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Hemp cultivation faces varying legal restrictions. Though federally legalized in the U.S. under the 2018 Farm Bill, growing it in your backyard may still be illegal or heavily regulated, depending on your state. Often mistaken for its psychoactive cousin, cannabis, hemp contains minimal THC. Due to its close association with marijuana, strict guidelines exist. Most states require a license for hemp cultivation and impose limitations on its use and sale.

Water Spinach

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Water spinach, also known as morning glory or kangkong, is a leafy green that is banned in certain regions due to its invasive nature. It spreads in aquatic environments repidly, suffocating other plants and disrupting local ecosystems. Water spinach is classified as a noxious weed in some places because it can outcompete native plants and choke waterways. While beneficial in many ways, it is essential to check local guidelines before growing this plant to avoid environmental issues.

Belladonna

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Belladonna is highly toxic, with berries and leaves containing compounds that can cause severe poisoning in humans and animals. Due to these dangerous properties, its cultivation is illegal or heavily controlled in many areas. Chemicals in belladonna can alter nervous system functions, causing changes in saliva, sweat, pupil size, urination, and digestion, and can increase heart rate and blood pressure. Since 2010, the FDA has issued warnings about homeopathic teething tablets and gels containing belladonna due to serious side effects in infants, including seizures, breathing problems, and agitation, with some cases resulting in death.

Garlic Mustard

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Garlic Mustard, brought from Europe and Asia in the mid-1800s for its herbal and medicinal properties and as erosion control, has become highly invasive in parts of the United States. This plant outcompetes native species, alters soil composition, and disrupts the underground fungal network essential for nutrient transfer. Due to these factors, garlic mustard is banned in many regions. Violating these bans can result in fines and mandatory removal. Effective management and public awareness are crucial for protecting local ecosystems.

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