Hemp is being pushed as the next big industry in Victoria as the state parliament announces “we are open for business” with products like plastic gin and even car parts potentially to be created from the wonder fibre.
By Alex White
Cover đź“·: Dannika Bonser
Hemp is being pushed as the next big industry in Victoria as the state parliament announces “we are open for business”.
A cross-party joint taskforce has been created to promote a local hemp industry with 45 cultivation licences already issued and more to come.
Agriculture Minister Jaclyn Symes said the material had previously suffered an image problem but had amazing manufacturing potential and was water efficient — making it a great alternative for struggling farmers.
đź“·: Victorian MP Fiona Patten is a key supporter of the emerging industry
“Hemp is not a drug it is a wonder fibre that can be used for a range of materials,” she said.
“This is about an economic industry that we want to develop and about creating more jobs.
“Hemp has huge potential in so many applications — and we’re keen to find out how Government can support the industry to grow, creating jobs for regional Victorians.”
Vote Reason leader Fiona Patten is a key driver behind the move and said “this will be a great opportunity for us to better understand the industry and the regulations surrounding
industrial hemp, and then consider if changes are needed to grow the sector.”
