Rule change gives Western Australia hemp industry high hopes

By Jenne Bramer
Source: thewest.com.au


The higher THC concentration threshold means many more hemp varieties will be available for industrial hemp production in WA.Picture: The West Australian

WA’s fledgling hemp industry has received a major shot in the arm after the McGowan Government revealed plans to lower a legislative barrier that has been limiting local production.

Hemp is a strain of the cannabis plant that contains low levels of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), which is the chemical associated with psychoactive properties in marijuana.

In WA, the current maximum permitted level of THC in hemp is 0.35 per cent, but the State Government has announced plans to amend the Industrial Hemp Act 2004 to increase the maximum THC content to one per cent — bringing it in line with national standards.

Changes to the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Code in November permit the sale of food products derived from hemp seed with a THC content of up to one per cent.

The higher THC concentration threshold means many more hemp varieties will be available for industrial hemp production in WA, particularly in food production through hemp seeds.

Agriculture Minister Alannah MacTiernan said interest in WA’s hemp industry had never been higher, with the first WA hemp food and drink products already appearing on the market.

“We see real potential for a scale up of hemp production in WA to commercial levels, helping to create jobs in agriculture and processing right across the regions,” she said.

Ms MacTiernan is todayhosting a roundtable of WA hemp growers, processors and researchers to identify key opportunities for the industry.

There are now 42 commercial hemp licensees in WA, largely focussed on small scale production.

There is estimated to be up to 50,000 end uses of industrial hemp including paper, textiles, food, building materials, cosmetics, plastics and biofuel.