A parliamentary question regarding the delay in legalising industrial hemp in WA, despite an election promise and decriminalisation of marijuana. The Minister acknowledges the question and states legislation is being drafted.

AnsweredQoN 888Legislative Council
Asked
7 May 2003
Portfolio
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries

QuestionView source ↗

This Government came to power with an election promise to legalise industrial hemp. That promise has not yet been fulfilled despite the Government’s rush to decriminalise the use and cultivation of small amounts of marijuana. Could the minister please explain - (1) Against which Act does a person growing industrial hemp risk criminal charges and what are the penalties? (2) When will Western Australia join Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania in legalising industrial hemp so that a viable new industry may be established? The PRESIDENT: The minister might like to answer that question, notwithstanding standing orders. Hon KIM CHANCE

AnswerView source ↗

Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
(1) Against which Act does a person growing industrial hemp risk criminal charges and what are the penalties? (2) When will Western Australia join Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania in legalising industrial hemp so that a viable new industry may be established? The PRESIDENT: The minister might like to answer that question, notwithstanding standing orders. Hon KIM CHANCE replied : Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
(2) When will Western Australia join Queensland, Victoria and Tasmania in legalising industrial hemp so that a viable new industry may be established? The PRESIDENT: The minister might like to answer that question, notwithstanding standing orders. Hon KIM CHANCE replied : Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
The PRESIDENT: The minister might like to answer that question, notwithstanding standing orders. Hon KIM CHANCE replied : Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied : Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
Notwithstanding standing orders, I thank Hon Frank Hough for some notice of the question. (1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
(1) A person growing industrial hemp currently risks prosecution under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, unless the cultivation of hemp is covered by a licence that may be issued by the Commissioner for Health authorising cultivation for research purposes. Possibly penalties are as high as $100 000 or 25 years imprisonment if the cultivation takes place with intent to sell or supply. (2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.
(2) Legislation to legalise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp is being drafted, and will be introduced as soon as possible.

Explore WA Government Data

Search the full archive in the free dashboard, or query programmatically via API.

Explore more