The Department of Natural Resources and Environment Tasmania (NRE Tas) has reviewed the Industrial Hemp Act 2015 (‘the Act') as part of our regulatory commitment to responsible research, cultivation, supply and production of industrial hemp.
The review considered opportunities to update and modernise the Act to ensure that it continues to support industrial hemp production in Tasmania.
The review did not consider:
- Medicinal cannabis and associated scientific uses, which can only be licenced by the Australian Government under the Narcotic Drugs Act 1967 (Cwth) through the Office of Drug Control (ODC).
- The regulation of crops for commercial recreational cannabis or personal cultivation, which is illegal in Tasmania.
- Licencing fees.
Industry and other stakeholders were invited to make a submission to the review in early 2022.
Further targeted consultation with industry and government agency stakeholders was undertaken in the first half of 2023.
Review findings
The review found that the Act and Regulations are generally working well.
Most issues raised by stakeholders can be addressed by updating the licence conditions and developing policy to guide and inform licensees of their obl igations and assist them to maximise the use of their crop.
The Government is proposing minor legislative amendments to address regulatory gaps, and improve the clarity, efficiency and transparency of certain parts of the Act.
NRE Tas will work w ith the Tasmanian Hemp Association to develop policy and update licence conditions, so that arrangements will be in place prior to the 2024 growing season.
Tasmania's licencing framework cannot authorise non-medicinal extracts or resins from industrial hemp, which are currently defined in Commonwealth legislation and regulated under the international drug control framework. The Tasmanian Government will support a coordinated, industry-led approach at the national level to advocate for a pathway for non-medicinal extracts or resins from industrial hemp.
More information is available in the Final Report:
Final Report on the Review of the Industial Hemp Act (PDF 1Mb)
Draft Industrial Hemp Amendment Bill 2023
Public consultation is now closed on the Draft Industrial Hemp Amendment Bill 2023.
Previous consultation
Extensive consultation was undertaken with industry and key stakeholders prior to the initial development of the Act in 2015. Informal discussions were conducted at several points leading up to the review's commencement in 2021.
During early 2022 key stakeholders were encouraged to make submissions on the areas of possible changes highlighted in a call for submissions paper. The feedback received from stakeholders was recorded in the Consultation Summary Report.