Industrial Hemp Act reviewed
The Industrial Hemp Act 2015 has been reviewed by the government after 7 years in effect.
The THA met with representatives from NRE (Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania) and submitted its case for improvements to the Act. Read the THA submission here and the THA’s reaction to the results here. The THA acknowledged the hard work of staff from the NRE. In short, amendments to the Act could have provided a wonderful opportunity for expansion of the hemp industry in Tasmania and many people have expressed frustration and disappointment at the results. Extrapolations of hemp’s profitability and environmental advantages are steadily growing.
AgriGrowth Tasmania provided the following information:
The final report on the Review of the Industrial Hemp Act 2015 summarises the Government’s response by way of:
minor amendments to the Act to improve its effectiveness by clarifying key issues and to address regulatory gaps;
amendments to the Industrial Hemp Regulations 2016 to improve transparency and clarity for industry on the assessment process for special research licences, and streamline the Regulations by removing redundant duplication; and
updates to licence conditions, and the development and publication of policy and supporting information for industry, to support greater value-adding opportunities for Tasmania’s hemp industry.
The Draft Bill proposes a number of changes to the Act to:
support industry growth and value-adding potential by including horticultural use as an explicit licence purpose, and streamline the Regulations to remove duplication;
address regulatory gaps and improve transparency with respect to special research licences and actions where a crop has tested above 1 per cent THC, including crop destruction or other actions;
improve efficiency, clarity and consistency with existing legislation with respect to police powers, the assessment of suitability of applicants, and definitions for fit and proper persons and responsible officers.