What is Industrial Hemp?
Industrial hemp is cannabis where the leaves and flowering heads do not contain more than 1 per cent delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC).
NRE Tas is responsible for issuing licences to authorise the possession, cultivation, supply and manufacture of industrial hemp for non-therapeutic (non-medicinal) purposes in Tasmania.
Non-therapeutic uses of industrial hemp include fibre and seed production. Industrial hemp fibre and pulp can be used in textiles, paper and building materials and industrial hemp seed and hemp seed oil can be used in industrial products, cosmetics and food.
The industrial hemp industry in Tasmania is regulated under the Industrial Hemp Act 2015.
Hemp Seed as Food
On 28 April 2017, the Australia New Zealand Ministerial Forum on Food Regulation (Forum) approved a proposal to amend the Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code to permit low-THC hemp seed to be sold as food.
Leaves, flowering heads and other parts of the low-THC hemp plant must not be sold as food for human consumption.
The changes to the Food Standards Code commenced on 11 November 2017.
More information can be found on the Food Standards Australia New Zealand website.
Medicinal Cannabis
The Industrial Hemp Act 2015 does not authorise medicinal cannabis cultivation, production or manufacture. This includes cannabinoid extraction for any purpose.
Medicinal cannabis is regulated by the Australian Government’s Office of Drug Control under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967. State Government controls also apply under the Poisons Act 1971.
Enquiries regarding medicinal cannabis should be directed to the Office of Drug Control.
Cosmetic and Therapeutic Use
The use of industrial hemp seed oil in cosmetics and other topical applications may be regulated under poisons regulations and standards.