Victoria's Economy and Infrastructure Committee has presented its 2023 report examining the state's industrial hemp industry to parliament.
The report stems from a parliamentary inquiry, initiated by Legalise Cannabis MP Rachel Payne in May, which assessed the challenges, obstacles and growth potential confronting the sector.
The committee gathered testimony from a wide range of experts and stakeholders across agriculture, science, building, planning and infrastructure. The findings from that process have now been formally tabled in the Legislative Council.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria outlined three central themes running through the report's recommendations:
- A functional Victorian hemp industry is within reach and would not require substantial financial outlay.
- Reducing the stigma attached to hemp through meaningful legislative reform is essential to shifting attitudes among local governments and potential investors.
- The Victorian Government has an opportunity to champion hemp at a national level.
The party noted that with an estimated global value of A$4.9 billion, hemp has the "potential to guarantee more jobs in the regions, increase Victorian export earnings and substantially reduce state-wide carbon emissions.
Legalise Cannabis Victoria also stated: "As well as hemp being a sustainable and viable option for fibre pulp, paper products, food and clothing, hemp bricks and hemp blocks are now used as world-class building and insulation materials.
"Legalise Cannabis Victoria welcomes the findings and recommendations of this report and encourages the Allan Labor Government to wholeheartedly consider what hemp could do for our state."
Payne said: "My inquiry has set out a clear path to build the hemp industry in Victoria. For too long this sustainable fibre has been neglected and overlooked for less versatile crops.
"Whether it's to build houses, make food, or capture carbon, the whole of hemp can be used – but we need the Government to address barriers such as planning laws and procurement policies.
"I am excited to see what levers the state government has got in its toolbox to get the hemp industry where it really should be."
