Legalise Cannabis Victoria MPs Rachel Payne and David Ettershank have called on their parliamentary colleagues to support their motion seeking a formal inquiry into Victoria's industrial hemp industry.
The push follows the government's announcement that it will bring native forest logging in the state to an end next year.
Payne said: “The foreclosure of native logging makes a hemp inquiry critical so that Victoria can meet its growing need for building materials and fibre pulp. Broad support for this inquiry will help us kickstart a new era in Victoria’s fibre future with a boost to industrial hemp.”
She added: “With an estimated global value of A$4.9 billion, it is time to shine a light on this incredibly versatile, resilient, and sustainable crop.
“While other Australian states have tapped into the hemp export market, Victoria is lagging and needs investment in its hemp infrastructure and processing capabilities.”
Ettershank said: “For far too long, industrial hemp has been like a victim of a drive-by shooting, caught in the crossfire of the prohibition on cannabis.
“Meanwhile, Victorian farmers are crying out to get a foot in this fertile international market, so it’s now time Victorian hemp is given a chance to thrive.”
Payne said hemp's capacity to absorb more carbon dioxide per hectare than a forest “or almost any other commercial crop” would be central to Victoria's efforts to meet its carbon emissions reduction targets.
“We know hemp is grown for beauty products, paper, food and clothing, but the construction material capability of hemp alone will be key as Victoria continues to grow,” she added.
