Source: foodmag.com.au
The Tasmanian government has confirmed its support for growing industrial hemp in the state.
Minister for Health, Michelle O’Byrne said the government is fully behind moves to remove the prohibition on using low THC hemp products including food.
The move would open new markets for industrial hemp growers, she said.
“We have supported such moves in the past only to be blocked by the Howard Liberal Government,” O’Byrne said.
The Health Minister was quick to stress, however, that there would be licensing restrictions on growing the approved hemp.
“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” 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” she said.
Cannabis is the most commonly used illicit drug in Australia, and O’Byrne said licensing systems are important to protect communities.
“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.”
“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.”
The campaign to legalise industrial hemp has been going on for some time, and in December last year it was revealed that eating the processed hemp seed, containing the active cannabis ingredient delta 9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), could become common practice, if an application made to Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ) is approved.
O’Byrne has met with Tasmania Farmers and Grazers Association (TFGA) and representatives from the industry to discuss the issue.
O’Byrne has met with Tasmania Farmers and Grazers Association (TFGA) and representatives from the industry to discuss the issue.
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