Pubdate: Sat, 19 Jul 2014
Source: Mercury, The (Australia)
Copyright: 2014 Davies Brothers Ltd
Contact:  http://www.themercury.com.au/
Details: http://www.mapinc.org/media/193
Author: Jessica Howard
Page: 3

COUNCILS JOIN PUSH FOR HEMP INDUSTRY

THREE Tasmanian councils have joined the fight to establish a 
medicinal marijuana industry in the state.

The Huon Valley Council yesterday said it had been approached by two 
Tasmanian companies within 24 hours that were fully funded to build a 
medicinal cannabis growing and production facility.

General manager Simone Watson will meet Premier Will Hodgman to ask 
the Government to reconsider its opposition.

The State Government launched a parliamentary inquiry into cannabis 
for medical purposes earlier this month.

"Let's wait to see what comes out of that," Attorney-General Vanessa 
Goodwin said yesterday.

Huon Valley Council Deputy Mayor Mike Wilson said a hemp industry 
would create jobs in the Huon Valley.

He said the former Huon Valley Mushrooms site would be ideal for production.

"It's going to happen anyway. Whether it happens in Tasmania or on 
the mainland, it will happen," he said.

Dorset Council Mayor Barry Jarvis said his council would discuss the 
issue on Monday night.

"We already grow opium poppies in Tasmania and do it pretty well  why 
wouldn't we get into the industrial hemp industry," he said.

The Derwent Valley Council has suggested the former Hayes Jail Farm 
as a location for hemp crops.

Tasmanian Greens Leader Kim Booth said: "It is a shame that Liberal 
ideology is preventing rural and regional communities having access 
to the real work and jobs that medicinal cannaboids and industrial hemp offer."
- ---
MAP posted-by: Jay Bergstrom