Farmers in NSW going to pot

[Oz]

THE NSW Government has turned over a new leaf after decades of opposing commercial cannabis, revealing plans for a new scheme to grow the plant on an industrial scale.

 

It will introduce legislation in weeks to allow farms to grow hemp, the fibres and oil of which can be used in food and clothes, biofuels and skin-care products.

 

The state's first legal hemp crop has been approved by police and will contain only tiny amounts of tetrahydrocannabinol, the psychoactive compound that some people smoke for recreation. It will be planted later this year, with farmers no longer needing their licences to be approved by the NSW Health Department.

 

"Industrial hemp fibre produced here in NSW could pave the way for the establishment of a new viable industry that creates and sells textiles, cloth and building products made from locally grown industrial hemp," said the Primary Industries Minister, Ian Macdonald, who will oversee the licences for the new crop.

 

"There is growing support from the agricultural sector for the development of such a new industry. This is a direct result of the environmentally friendly nature of industrial hemp and a perceived interest for hemp products in the market."

 

Trials in the state's west had yielded 10 to 12 tonnes of dry stem per hectare, which was similar to yields reported from crops in other states and in Europe, Mr Macdonald said.

 

Some farming groups cautiously welcomed the move, although the National Farmers Federation said it was not aware of large numbers of farmers clamouring to grow hemp.

 

"If it meets all the safety and health requirements, then farmers should have the option of growing whatever crops that best fits their business," Ben Fargher, the federation's chief executive officer, said. "There are farmers who look for innovative specialist crops, and this may fit that category."

 

By contrast, industrial hemp campaigners were on a high.

 

Klara Marosszeky, who holds a licence to grow industrial hemp under a trial program, said it was "fantastic" news.

 

"I've seen really big interest from all sorts of farmers in growing industrial hemp," she said. "The market couldn't be very competitive when you couldn't grow in NSW, but if that changes then you will see a new industry occur."

Author: Ben Cubby Environment Reporter

Date: 09/04/08

Source: Sydney Morning Herald Online

Copyright: Copyright © 2008 Fairfax Digital

[Naycha]

Exciting news! I would love to grow industrial hemp on the family farm, maybe my dream has come true

[Oz]

Primary Industries Minister Ian Macdonald has given the go-ahead for the commercial production of hemp crops, which would be a potential agricultural alternative to water-guzzling cotton plantations on the Darling River system.

 

Darling River cotton is a hugely controversial crop and is widely criticised for taking huge amounts of water from a small river that feeds the River Murray upstream of South Australia.

 

NSW Cotton crops are concentrated around the Darling near centres including Bourke and Menindee, the latter the site of the Menindee Lakes storage system.

 

Commercial hemp is highly fibrous and has many uses, but is especially effective as a textile material.

 

It needs much less water than flood-irrigated cotton and presents cotton growers with an alternative to a commodity which has struggled badly through the drought.

 

Farmers at both Bourke and Menindee have been experimenting with alternative crops throughout the drought.

 

Although the plant is a type of cannabis, it has little tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) and cannot be used as a drug.

 

"Industrial hemp fibre produced here in NSW could pave the way for the establishment of a new viable industry that creates and sells textiles, cloth and building products made from locally grown hemp," Mr Macdonald said.

 

"There is growing support from the agricultural sector for the development of such a new industry. This is a direct result of the environmentally friendly nature of industrial hemp and a perceived interest for hemp products in the market."

 

Mr Macdonald said the soft texture of hemp means it can be used for insulation or as an alternative to fibreglass, while hemp seed oil can be used as a base for skin care products and paints.

 

"The NSW Government will amend existing criminal drug laws to ensure that existing drug law enforcement is not compromised, and this position is supported by the NSW police," Mr Macdonald said.

Author: BERNARD HUMPHREYS

Date: 09/04/08

Source: Adelaide Now

Copyright: Copyright 2008 News Limited.

[mullray]

I came to post this here myself. Great news for a change!!!!

[SukonmiSkunk]

Exciting news! I would love to grow industrial hemp on the family farm, maybe my dream has come true

 

well get in there and apply for a license.. then let me know.. and give me a job..

 

 

about fuckin time they pulled their heads out of their asses and seen HEMP for what it really is.. the most viable and environmentally friendly plant on the planet to grow..

[mullray]

It took the planet almost dying but finally!!!! GOOD ON THEM - about 50 years late but its a great start. Carbon credits to the NSW's government.

 

I'm up for a job too - in case they need people to test to see if the Hemp is too high in THC. Man, now that is my idea of heaven.

[Medusa]

THC needs to be tested on both male's and female's to scientifically prove the effects on different genders, I donate myself to science.

Wog

[failure]

Is anyone else having fits and convulsions when trying to imagine such a thing as this coming out of the Iemma government?

 

 

 

[Gee]

THC needs to be tested on both male's and female's to scientifically prove the effects on different genders, I donate myself to science.

Wog

 

males, females and gingerkids! we're a special breed.

 

it's very good news and it's more than about time. only bad news is i first heard this info on the radio along with info about Canberra getting roadside drug testing.

[mullray]

Is anyone else having fits and convulsions when trying to imagine such a thing as this coming out of the Iemma government?

 

 

 

 

I guess the important thing is they have recognised that industrial hemp will play an important role in the future. The THC being so low it can't be classed as a drug. I think they did something similar in Western Australia also.

 

MJ is out but hemp is in and at least one lobby group is winning. Old Hairy Anslinger would be rolling in his grave

 

I would like to work on this project though. One for them, one for me, one for them