Source: abc.net.au
Making it easier to grow industrial hemp and boosting the Tasmania's affordable housing strategy top the State Government's agenda for this week in Parliament.
The Government will introduce legislation to recognise industrial hemp as an agricultural crop rather than regulating it under the Poisons Act.
The bill will extend licences to grow from one to five years while the amount of THC allowable will be tripled.
A special research licence will also be available to allow for cannabis that exceeds the 1 per cent THC threshold to support the development of new or improved strains of industrial hemp.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff said the bill had been developed in consultation with the industry.
"It is important to note that this bill is focussed on low-THC varieties of cannabis, which are grown to extract fibre and oil, and have no value as a drug," he said.
Mr Rockcliff vowed to continue to lobby for the federal prohibition of hemp food products to be lifted.
The Government will also hand down its Affordable Housing Strategy, which will include $5 million to buy 20 new homes.
Departments and ministers not working together: Labor
The State Opposition plans to use Parliament to expose more divisions between government departments and their responsible ministers.
Last month, Human Services Minister Jacquie Petrusma admitted to being kept in the dark for three weeks by her department about a major child protection failure.
Labor leader Bryan Green claimed there was more evidence of a breakdown in communication between departments and ministers.
"I think most Tasmanians would want us to continue to expose that the Government is not in touch with the departments themselves," he said.
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