Is it possible to turn Afghanistan's poppy plants into a motor fuel?

Question

The Afghans don't seem to be stopping cultivation anytime soon so we might as well burn what they grow instead of allowing it to become a halucinegenic drug.

Answer 1

A new process is being introduced in the U.S. to convert a wide variety of biomass types.  There is no reason that the process should not readily adapt to the poppy plant.  "The next generation of ethanol production facilities will include production from cellulose and biomass feedstocks. Earlier this year, there was a groundbreaking for a new ethanol production plant in Jennings, Louisiana which, when completed, will produce ethanol from rice hulls and bagasse. Three other plants are currently planned in California that will produce ethanol from rice straw. (source:http://www.e85fuel.com/e85101/faqs/produ... .

This technology should directly translate to the conversion of the full poppy seed plant into ethanol.

Answer 2

Afghanistan has more marijuana than opium poppies.  Henry Ford grew pot and used the seeds as lubricant and fuel.  So it can be done.

And the "invaders" already tried to burn it with no success.

Answer 3

And then who would grow them for heroin? The Chinese?

Answer 4

Use enough of it and you won't need a car!

Answer 5

its not impossible...just very improbable

Answer 6

Sure, and you could still harvest the opium gum before they are converted so you get the best of both worlds.