Ahead of the state election in Western Australia next month, the Legalise Cannabis Party WA (LCWA) has pledged to create a Hemp Innovation Fund – and there’s big bucks involved.
Recognising the potential for the crop in WA, the party’s Regional Development spokesperson Mel D’Ath announced a $300 million commitment to the Fund.
“At the urging of the LCWA, the Cook Government committed to a review of the legislation under which industrial hemp is grown,” Ms D’Ath said. “But it has been left to the Legalise Cannabis Party to explain how we can boost the industry from a financial perspective.”
The comments were made at a recent policy forum in Mount Hawthorn, a suburb in Perth.
Ms D’Ath said a wide range of products were already being produced with hemp; such as textiles, building, pet, body, wellness and gardening products.
“To grow that list, we need to grow our production capacity, however. That’s why the Hemp Innovation Fund will also allow us to focus on the expansion of processing facilities in the South West of the state, alleviating any bottle-necks that unnecessarily constrain the industry.”
But where would that $300 million come from? That’s where things get really tricky.
According Hon. Dr Brian Walker MLC, LCWA Party’s Parliamentary Leader, it would be fully funded as part of the estimated $1.25b revenue boost predicted from cannabis legalisation.
And legalisation, if/when it occurs, could be quite a way off. But it’s not through a lack of trying.
At a federal level, late last year the Greens’ Legalising Cannabis Bill 2023 for adult-use was put to a vote in the Senate and defeated by 13 to 24. Disappointed but not discouraged, the Greens remain committed to legalising cannabis in the next Parliament.
But back to Western Australia specifically, in 2021, WA’s Legislative Council established the Cannabis and Hemp Select Committee to delve into current legislation and regulations. In March 2023, the Committee delivered a final report that made sixteen recommendations. The Cook Government responded in late August 2023, with most of the recommendations supported.
Hemp activities in Western Australia are regulated under the state’s Industrial Hemp Act 2004. In order to commercially cultivate, harvest or process industrial hemp for food or fibre, a licence is required with the Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development.
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