Unlocking the Green Future of Hemp Innovation in Western Australia

In my years as a medical practitioner, I have learned that the best treatments are often those that the system is slowest to adopt. We see this today with hemp. It is not just an agricultural crop; it is a pharmaceutical powerhouse, a sustainable building material, and a textile of the future. While other nations are embracing this green revolution to build a cleaner future, Western Australia risks being left in the dust of our own bureaucracy.

The untapped potential of the emerald plant

Today in Parliament, I raised the issue of how we are supporting our local hemp innovators. On the Emerald Isle, hemp is already playing a vital role in creating a sustainable environmental future. It is a plant that heals the soil and the economy alike. Yet here, I fear our innovators are forced to navigate a maze of red tape rather than being empowered to lead the world. The risk is real. If we do not act, we are not just losing a crop; we are losing jobs, investment, and a chance to decarbonise our industries. We are effectively watching a cure sit on the shelf while the patient waits in the hall.

As a doctor and a scientist, I look at the evidence. The evidence says hemp is a multi-billion dollar opportunity. The evidence says it is carbon negative. The evidence says the global market is hungry for WA innovation. My colleagues and I in the science-first community know that the status quo is failing us. We are the forward-thinkers who see the potential where the major parties see only a difficult conversation they would rather avoid.

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A booster for the bold

The Minister for Science and Innovation pointed towards the New Industries and Innovation Fund and the Innovation Booster Grants as paths for hemp companies to find support. While these funds exist, the question remains whether the government truly recognises the unique value of the hemp sector. The sinking feeling many entrepreneurs experience when trying to access these funds is a symptom of a larger problem. When I asked about the long-promised hemp review, I was directed back to a different department. This kind of buck-passing is what keeps Western Australia from thriving.

We need a government that talks to itself. Cabinet colleagues must work together to ensure the economic benefits are seized before the opportunity passes us by completely. Innovation does not happen in a vacuum, and it certainly does not happen when the left hand does not know what the right hand is doing. We are fighting for a future where science dictates the law, not outdated stigma.

The full record of today's questions can be viewed in the official Hansard record. If you want to see a Western Australia that embraces the full potential of this incredible plant, please consider joining Legalise Cannabis WA today.