Amended legislation for Tasmania’s hemp industry was backed by the Greens, but the party believes Industrial Hemp Amendment Bill 2024 didn’t go far enough says Tabatha Badger MP.
On Tuesday, the legislation aiming to better support Tasmania’s hemp industry passed the lower house of State Parliament, providing more clarity, efficiency, and transparency for licensees and allowing the horticultural use of hemp products.
In the lead-up to it passing, the Greens’ Tabatha Badger MP said amendments to legislation should go further to build the industry and provide more value-adding opportunities. Ms. Badger said it was very positive that the amendments enabled whole-of-plant uses, but that should be expanded.
“… some states, such as New South Wales, have been more advanced in enhancing their high-value export opportunities, and a lot of that is through the hemp leaf extract products – restrictions that should be considered for removal within the Tasmanian legislation in the future as well,” she said.
But it’s not a straightforward situation in New South Wales. While extracts of hemp are not unlawful under the NSW Hemp Industry Act 2008, cannabis extracts are Schedule 9 Poisons under the national Poisons Standard.
“NSW DPI recommends that an applicant or licensee who proposes to produce extracts of low-THC hemp first seek independent legal advice on this subject before proceeding,” says a Department of Primary Industries fact sheet.
Ms. Badger acknowledged this situation, stating future industry growth will require this and other relevant legislation to also be assessed.
Tasmania’s Industrial Hemp Act 2015 does not authorise medicinal cannabis cultivation, production or manufacture, including cannabinoid extraction for any purpose. While medicinal cannabis is regulated by the Federal Government’s Office of Drug Control, hemp extracts can be used for other purposes such as a base for non-intoxicating beverages and even pesticides.
“Hemp can be a huge economic contributor to our agricultural sector, but as the various associations and stakeholders have articulated, we must be far bolder if Tasmania is to keep its nation-leading reputation.”
At its peak, 1,500 hectares of hemp was under cultivation in Tasmania in 2019-20. During that timeframe, 30 per cent of Australia’s total industrial hemp crop was grown in Tasmania, at a farm gate value of approximately $5 million.
