The plant known as mexican prickly poppy has a native range across various regions of Central and South America. It has also been introduced to numerous areas across the globe, finding its way into continents like Africa, Asia, Europe, and Oceania. Mexican prickly poppy is cultivated in certain areas, although details regarding the scale and purpose are not specified. In some regions, particularly Asia and parts of Africa, mexican prickly poppy is sometimes thought to be invasive and may have an impact on local ecosystems; however, widespread disruption has not been clearly documented.

Poisoning from mexican prickly poppy occurs through ingestion. The plant is highly toxic, particularly the oil in the seeds, causing digestive issues like pain, vomiting, and diarrhea. Large quantities can lead to epidemic dropsy in tropical countries. Accidental ingestion is common as the seeds resemble mustard seeds.

Mexican prickly poppy has been introduced worldwide, either as an ornamental or accidentally via seed contamination and wheat imports. It is now a major invasive weed in many tropical and sub-tropical countries in Asia, Africa, the Americas, the Caribbean, Australia, and Oceania. It has been declared invasive in parts of Kenya and Uganda; in South Africa, it has been declared 'noxious' due to the related health hazards. Mexican prickly poppy is primarily a weed of agricultural fields and wastelands. It is problematic for several reasons – it spreads extensively through prolific seed production, prickliness is a nuisance to subsistence farmers, and all parts of the plants, including seeds, contain alkaloids that are toxic to humans and animals.