Regulating Industrial Hemp
The Minister for Health, Michelle
O’Byrne, said the State Government had long supported the growing
of industrial hemp in Tasmania.
Ms O’Byrne said the Government was fully
behind moves to remove the prohibition on using low THC hemp
products as food, a change that will open new markets for
growers.
“We have supported such moves in the
past only to be blocked by the Howard Liberal Government,” she
said.
“But even if this latest attempt
succeeds, it must be remembered that cannabis sativa is a
schedule 9 drug in all states and territories, so the only way to
allow growing of low THC crops is to licence them.”
Ms O’Byrne said cannabis is the most
commonly used illicit drug in Tasmania and the licensing system is
very important from a community perspective.
“This doesn’t mean that regulation is
too strict for legitimate growers – rather than restricting the
development of the industry, the licence system enables the growing
of industrial hemp.
“There is no charge for the issue of a
licence and to date, all legitimate applicants have been granted
licences.
“The poppy industry, where licensing
arrangements are also required under the Poisons Act, has developed
into a major source of the world’s licit opioid alkaloids with an
annual farm gate value of about $100 million.
“There is no reason why the hemp
industry would be any different.”
Ms O’Byrne said she had corresponded and
met with the TFGA and representatives of the industry on this
issue.
