Both houses of Parliament today passed Legislation that removes unnecessary red tape and encourages investment and job creation in the industrial hemp sector.
The Industrial Hemp Bill will allow for the growth of the sector with the now simplified regulation of the industry.
For years, the industry raised concerns about it being hamstrung because of the regulation being positioned under the Poisons Act 1971. We listened to those concerns and took action.
This new legislation finally cuts the unnecessary red tape and gives due recognition that industrial hemp is an agricultural crop.
This enables new licencing, extended licencing terms of five years, an increased THC threshold to bring us in-line with most other states and a new special research licence.
The Bill was widely supported, and passed with only two matters of minor detail amended.
I would like to thank the Industrial Hemp Association of Tasmania, TFGA, Tasmania Police and other stakeholders who worked in collaboration with us to deliver this Bill.
Jeremy Rockliff, Minister for Primary Industries and Water
