Katelyn Baker
Well-Known Member
The Tasmanian Government is backing industry calls to lift the ban on the sale of hemp-derived food products in Australia.
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff told industrial hemp growers his government was lobbying its state and federal counterparts strongly to change the laws that prohibit the domestic sale of food containing hemp seeds or oil.
Australian and New Zealand health ministers will decide on the proposed law change at a forum in April to be chaired by Assistant Health Minister Dr David Gillespie.
Mr Rockliff said his government had always supported the state's industrial hemp industry.
"We've been working together since we came to government to change the views of those nationally when it comes to allowing hemp food products," he said.
"This is critical for our farmers to maximise the value-adding opportunities, and we're absolutely right in their corner."
The Liberal State Government extended licence terms for hemp growers and increased the amount of allowable THC in the crop to 1 per cent in 2015.
Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis that has little or no THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that has psychoactive effects.
As well as food products, industrial hemp can also be used in fabrics, paper and building materials.
Hemp acreage has trebled in Tasmania
Tim Schmidt, the president of Tasmania's Industrial Hemp Association, said since last season the number of Tasmanian hemp grower licences had doubled and the area planted had trebled.
He said he was aware of several proposed processing and value-adding businesses that would go ahead if the laws changed.
"There's people that have been approaching the industry looking to develop some value-adding enterprises, but it's all held back by the leash of this legislation," he said.
"Once we get the change in the food laws then there are people there ready to develop their marketing plans and infrastructure in Tasmania to exploit the potential domestic market."
Although hemp oil and seeds can currently be exported from Australia for use in the international food market, Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance president Klara Marosszeky said growers wanted a domestic market.
"The legislation will be a trigger for farmers and for states to give a rationale for a grain industry," he said.
"That will then open export markets and will allow the whole industry to develop and flow.
"Without that, a whole lot of states are not changing legislation, which then limits that export opportunity for the farmers in those states as well."
Food Standards Australia New Zealand examined a similar proposal to change food laws regarding hemp in 2015, but it was rejected by the ministerial forum.
They noted hemp food products were safe to consume, but were concerned that legalising it as a food product would send mixed messages about the safety of illegal cannabis.
A spokeswoman for the Health Department said the ministerial forum was waiting on the results of research into whether consuming hemp food products could cause false positive readings on roadside drug tests for motorists.
She said the Assistant Federal Health Minister would consult with other Commonwealth ministers before determining his position on the proposal.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Tasmanian Government Backs Food Law Changes To Help Hemp Industry
Author: Laura Beavis
Contact: ABC News
Photo Credit: Laura Beavis
Website: ABC News
Primary Industries Minister Jeremy Rockliff told industrial hemp growers his government was lobbying its state and federal counterparts strongly to change the laws that prohibit the domestic sale of food containing hemp seeds or oil.
Australian and New Zealand health ministers will decide on the proposed law change at a forum in April to be chaired by Assistant Health Minister Dr David Gillespie.
Mr Rockliff said his government had always supported the state's industrial hemp industry.
"We've been working together since we came to government to change the views of those nationally when it comes to allowing hemp food products," he said.
"This is critical for our farmers to maximise the value-adding opportunities, and we're absolutely right in their corner."
The Liberal State Government extended licence terms for hemp growers and increased the amount of allowable THC in the crop to 1 per cent in 2015.
Industrial hemp is a type of cannabis that has little or no THC, which is the chemical in marijuana that has psychoactive effects.
As well as food products, industrial hemp can also be used in fabrics, paper and building materials.
Hemp acreage has trebled in Tasmania
Tim Schmidt, the president of Tasmania's Industrial Hemp Association, said since last season the number of Tasmanian hemp grower licences had doubled and the area planted had trebled.
He said he was aware of several proposed processing and value-adding businesses that would go ahead if the laws changed.
"There's people that have been approaching the industry looking to develop some value-adding enterprises, but it's all held back by the leash of this legislation," he said.
"Once we get the change in the food laws then there are people there ready to develop their marketing plans and infrastructure in Tasmania to exploit the potential domestic market."
Although hemp oil and seeds can currently be exported from Australia for use in the international food market, Australian Industrial Hemp Alliance president Klara Marosszeky said growers wanted a domestic market.
"The legislation will be a trigger for farmers and for states to give a rationale for a grain industry," he said.
"That will then open export markets and will allow the whole industry to develop and flow.
"Without that, a whole lot of states are not changing legislation, which then limits that export opportunity for the farmers in those states as well."
Food Standards Australia New Zealand examined a similar proposal to change food laws regarding hemp in 2015, but it was rejected by the ministerial forum.
They noted hemp food products were safe to consume, but were concerned that legalising it as a food product would send mixed messages about the safety of illegal cannabis.
A spokeswoman for the Health Department said the ministerial forum was waiting on the results of research into whether consuming hemp food products could cause false positive readings on roadside drug tests for motorists.
She said the Assistant Federal Health Minister would consult with other Commonwealth ministers before determining his position on the proposal.
News Moderator: Katelyn Baker 420 MAGAZINE ®
Full Article: Tasmanian Government Backs Food Law Changes To Help Hemp Industry
Author: Laura Beavis
Contact: ABC News
Photo Credit: Laura Beavis
Website: ABC News
