Australia has approved medical cannabis export legislation in order to improve access to global markets for the nation’s medicinal cannabis and hemp industries.
Australia’s Export Control Amendment (Certificate of Narcotics Exports) Bill 2020 passed the Senate this month, and broadens current legislation certifying agricultural exports to allow for certification of legitimate exports of narcotic products, including medical cannabis and low-THC hemp.
There’s actually no such thing as “low-THC” hemp; as hemp by definition is low-THC. High-THC hemp is considered marijuana or medical cannabis; depending on the situation.
“In the past year we have seen producers wanting to export to markets that need Australian Government certification – this Bill means exporters can now access those markets and have the confidence to invest in this industry, said Federal Minister for Agriculture David Littleproud.
“The industry will be able to export markets in South-East Asia, China, Canada and the lucrative US market.”
In the second reading of the Bill, Deputy Leader of the Opposition in the Senate Senator Kristina Keneally welcomed the intentions of it and said, “Labor encourages the growth and development of the hemp industry. It should be legal to ingest, cultivate and produce hemp products in all states in Australia.”
With regard to medical cannabis, Senator Keneally said:
“It is also time to remove unnecessary regulatory barriers to medicinal cannabis, starting with responding to the recommendations made by the Senate Community Affairs References Committee.”
