BIPARTISAN HEMP PUSH

The State Opposition has decided to support a Government bid to
fast-track laws allowing an industrial hemp industry to be set up in
WA.

The long-awaited laws, which will let farmers cultivate commercial
crops of industrial hemp containing less than 0.35 per cent of
tetrahydrocannabinol, were introduced to the Legislative Assembly last
week.

The legislation moved quickly through the Assembly yesterday after the
Liberal party room resolved on Tuesday to clear the way for the laws
to pass through the Lower House before it rises for the year.

Shadow agriculture minister Paul Omodei said the Liberal Party would
support any moves by the Government to bring the legislation forward
for the debate without the requirement that it sit on the table in the
Legislative Council for a week.

Agriculture Minister Kim Chance welcomed the Liberals' position,
saying there was a very good chance the laws would pass through
Parliament by the end of the sitting year.