Hemp bill gives Victorian farmers opportunity to grow

Ms Payne told parliament that Victoria did not have a standalone industrial hemp act like other states, and the product from the state’s six growers was exported for offshore processing.

“We are lagging behind other states and even further behind the rest of the world,” Ms Payne said.

“The international market for industrial hemp is projected to grow to $18.6 billion by 2027.

“Hemp could have a role to play in revitalising national manufacturing, providing countless local jobs and building more environmentally friendly housing.

“The opportunities are endless.”

VFF president Emma Germano said the Hemp Industry Bill 2024 provided an exciting opportunity for Victorian farmers and industry to unlock the benefits of hemp.

“Victorian farmers want to be able invest in industrial hemp, but the regulatory burden is simply too heavy,” Ms Germano said.

“We know hemp holds vast potential for various applications, including sustainable agriculture and construction materials.

“Removing government barriers, particularly those that are onerous or confusing, will unlock hemp’s full benefits, including the potential for secondary processing and manufacturing.”

Spacebale Homes project manager Rose Rule specialises in constructing sustainable houses and said she would welcome any new legislation.

“Anything to minimise the red tape behind it would be good,” Ms Rule said.

“We already face so much red tape in sustainable building, anyway.

“We pay another $2500 to $5000 for an extra document on top of the engineering certification for a house, but it does not accredit us with hemp construction; you need to do this for every single house you build.”

The introduction of the bill follows a 2023 parliamentary inquiry into industrial hemp where the VFF had called for removing unnecessary regulatory barriers.

Ms Payne said in parliament that industry was “well acquainted” with the potential of hemp due largely to the inquiry.

“This inquiry investigated the barriers and opportunities faced by Victoria’s industrial hemp industry and how this government could offer better support,” she said.

“Unsurprisingly, this inquiry found numerous areas for improvement.

“Recommendation one was to create fit-for-purpose industrial hemp legislation.

“And that is exactly why today, I introduce the Hemp Industry Bill 2024.”

Ms Germano said the government needed to “get out of the way” of farmers wanting to produce hemp and help create new opportunities for regional communities.

“The laws regarding industrial hemp are not fit for purpose and create an ongoing stigma that links the crop with illicit drugs,” she said.

“Industrial hemp has been allowed to grow in Victoria since 1998, but the stigma and onerous regulations that require licences and expensive testing has made it too difficult for farmers and industry to invest.

“We commend the Legalise Cannabis Party for their leadership on this opportunity for Victoria.”