Growing support across regional local councils for medicinal cannabis trials is increasing pressure on the Hodgman government to review its unilateral hard line opposition to the proposed trials.
“Huon Valley Council has passed an unanimous motion calling for the Liberal government to rethink its opposition to medicinal cannabis, and both Derwent Valley Council and Dorset Council have similar motions on their books noting the potential these crop trials could have for their local regions,” Greens Leader Kim Booth MP said. “West Coast Mayor, Robyn Gerrity, has also stated there have been four separate proposals for medicinal cannabis crops put forward through the process looking for economic diversification ideas for the West Coast in light of the Mt Lyell mine closure.”“This move by local councils acknowledging the potential of, and need for, these trials is an embarrassing slap in the face to the Minister Michael Ferguson and the Premier.”
“The Huon Valley Council has identified a local medicinal cannabis trial could employ between 30 and 40 people locally, which could just be the tip of the iceberg should this value-added crop be established.”
“Derwent Valley Council will tonight assess a motion calling for the establishment of a working group to develop a position on the controlled production of hemp for medicinal, fibre and food production in the southern region. Next week Dorset Council will also discuss how to best pursue opportunities to grow and process industrial hemp, medicinal cannabis and other bio-pharmaceutical products in the north east.”
“These Councils can see the employment and economic opportunities medicinal cannabis, and industrial hemp, could provide for their regional areas.”
"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."
“Clearly the Liberals are falling more and more behind local opinion and sentiment on the issue of medicinal cannabis. With growing recognition of both the health needs for, and the job-creating opportunities this new industry presents, it is inevitable that the Liberals will have to review their blind opposition to medicinal cannabis trials,” Mr Booth said.