❓ A WA parliamentary question on notice addresses the feasibility of establishing an industrial hemp industry, the classification of low THC hemp, and potential legislative changes to allow its cultivation and processing.
AnsweredQoN 1003Legislative Council
QuestionView source ↗
Hemp is an excellent source of fibre in the production of more than 50 000 goods, including paper, fabric and industrial products. In 1995 the Western Australian Government set up a committee to investigate the feasibility of establishing an industrial purpose hemp industry. (1) Is the committee still in operation and will the minister elaborate on the committee’s findings to date? (2) What research has the current Government undertaken into the viability of the industrial hemp industry in Western Australia? (3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE
AnswerView source ↗
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(1) Is the committee still in operation and will the minister elaborate on the committee’s findings to date? (2) What research has the current Government undertaken into the viability of the industrial hemp industry in Western Australia? (3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(2) What research has the current Government undertaken into the viability of the industrial hemp industry in Western Australia? (3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(1) Is the committee still in operation and will the minister elaborate on the committee’s findings to date? (2) What research has the current Government undertaken into the viability of the industrial hemp industry in Western Australia? (3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(2) What research has the current Government undertaken into the viability of the industrial hemp industry in Western Australia? (3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(3) What is the classification of industrial low tetrahydrocannabinol hemp and which Western Australian Acts of Parliament dictate the classification? (4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(4) Will the minister outline the measures, if any, that are being taken to review the status of hemp so that industrial low THC hemp may be cultivated and processed as an industrial source for Western Australia? (5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(5) If measures are currently being undertaken, what is the time frame envisaged for the reclassification to come into effect? (6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(6) What steps is the Government taking to ensure that processing facilities will be available for industrial hemp when industrial hemp is available for cultivation in Western Australia? Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
Hon KIM CHANCE replied: I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
I thank the member for some notice of this question. (1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(1) The committee to which the member referred is not ongoing. It was commissioned to report to the former Minister for Primary Industry, Hon Monty House, MLA. It finished its work and made its report in 1995. The committee supported the implementation of a small agronomic trial program for industrial hemp in Western Australia and made a number of recommendations relating to the licensing system operating under the Poisons Act 1964 and participation in further research. The report’s recommendations were implemented and a number of trials were conducted by the Department of Agriculture and private proponents during the term of the former Government. However, things have moved on since then. (2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(2) Following the research in the late 1990s it became clear that further useful research was not possible without production of larger quantities than is allowed under the current licensing system. I have accepted, as the former Government did, that to fully assess the viability of an industrial hemp industry in Western Australia, the cultivation, processing and marketing of commercial quantities is necessary. The proposal for legislation to allow that has been developed by the Department of Agriculture, the Police Service and the Department of Health and will be presented to Cabinet at the earliest possible opportunity. (3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(3) The psychotropic agent of cannabis is tetrahydrocannabinol. The plant has no effect as a drug at low levels of THC. However, under the Misuse of Drugs Act 1981, cannabis is a prohibited plant regardless of the level of THC that it contains. It is a prohibited plant also under the Poisons Act 1964, although under that Act, small amounts of cannabis may be grown for research purposes with the authority of a licence issued by the Commissioner of Health. (4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(4) As noted in the answer to question (3), a proposal for legislation to allow the cultivation and processing of industrial hemp will be submitted to Cabinet for approval to draft in the near future. Under this proposal, low tetrahydrocannabinol cannabis will be removed from the operation of the Misuse of Drugs Act and a licensing system put in place to prevent the production of low THC cannabis being used as a subterfuge for criminal activity relating to the drug. (5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(5) I will seek high priority for this legislation, but the honourable member will understand that at this stage I am unable to give a firm undertaking on when it will be introduced and passed. (6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
(6) Subject to approval by Cabinet, the legislation I intend to introduce will facilitate the processing of industrial hemp by providing a means for this to be undertaken legally. Beyond that, whether and to what extent the establishment of processing facilities takes place is a matter of private commercial decisions.
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