Interesting times for the future of hemp in Western Australia!

The New iHempWA Team… at your service 😀

Executive: Chairperson – Georgina Wilkinson of MR Hemp Co and MR Hemp Processing, the last remaining founding Member of iHempWA and Treasurer – Sharlene Mavor, Medical Cannabis Research Australia. New energy joining the committee; AMRShire Vice Chairperson – Cr Melissa D’Ath, entrepreneur Re-Tyre Shoes and Secretary – Linelle Fields of LCWA.

Committee: Emmett Peels, Fred Mulholland, Sasha Lai, Kathleen Wright and Luca Le Prado

Be the change you want to see, send Expressions of Interest to the secretary: admin@ihempwa.org

This team is dedicated to champion the growth of the WA hemp industry through education, policy advice, research, innovation, and industry support. The goal? To make hemp a mainstream product in everyday life for everyone!

SUPPORT NEEDED IN THE HEMP SECTOR

RECENT DEVELOPMENTS CHALLENGING THE HEMP PET FOOD SECTOR IN AUSTRALIA

Understanding the Regulatory Barriers to Hemp in Animal Feed

Author: Dr Bronwyn Blake, June 2024

In November 2017 Food Standards Australia New Zealand allowed hemp seed products to legally be consumed by humans. It was a tremendous step forward for the Australian hemp industry.

Unfortunately, many of us automatically assumed that if something was deemed safe for humans, it could also be fed to animals, including pets. As a result, businesses and products featuring hemp for animals started popping up all over the country. The problem was that many businesses were making health claims, which is not allowed for an unregistered product or ingredient.

This naivety was the catalyst for today’s restrictions. We can safely assume that compliant pet food manufacturers were a little put out by all of the non-compliant hemp products hitting the market and some of the health claims that accompanied them. Read more

HEMP FIBRE PROCESSING NOW IN MARGARET RIVER

Margaret River Hemp Co now has a fully operating hemp processing facility in Margaret River, Western Australia. This has been three years of research and development for processing Industrial Hemp for a sustainable industry, which will produce local jobs for farmers and manufacturing.
The Margaret River Hemp Co is super proud to share with our community locally grown hemp fibre & hurd processed right here in our beautiful region.
With a selection of sustainable hemp products – including – building grade hurd (hempcrete), horse bedding, small pet bedding – hurd and soft fibre for nesting, garden mulch and soil enrichment (natural fertiliser)
This is a great opportunity for companies to include Industrial Hemp to their sustainable business plan.

For more information or sales enquiries contact
Margaret River Store – 133 Bussell Highway – 08 9758 8600
Enquires – Gary – 0409 576458

Our Purpose

Trusted Industry Voice that Connects, Guides and Builds the Western Australian Industrial Hemp Industry

Our Vision

Be the Centre of All Things Hemp

Global Awareness – Local Action

Our Mission

We drive policy, education, support for industry, research and innovation, to make hemp a mainstream product in everyday life for everyone

Position Statement

Background

For nearly a century, governments have tried to find a sustainable replacement for the many uses that industrial hemp served prior to 1938, when it was banned. And these governments have failed. No plant or resource has been able to replace industrial hemp without pollution and depletion of other natural resources.

Up to until the early 1900’s, industrial hemp was in common use. Hemp was used for various purposes, such as food, clothing, building, paper, rope, oil, and medicine in North America. Industrial hemp, also known as Cannabis sativa L., had a global place appeal. Industrial hemp was grown on a large scale in many counties around the world to meet the demands of the people each of these countries populations in the early 20th century. In 1937, twenty-five million acres was cultivated with industrial hemp in the United States alone. Hemp was valued for its durability, versatility, and sustainability.

The first recorded hemp seeds brought to Australia were with the First Fleet at the request of Sir Joseph Banks, in the hope that hemp would be produced commercially in the new colony using convict labour. For 150 years early governments in Australia actively supported the growing of hemp with gifts of land and other grants, and the consumption of cannabis in Australia in the 19th century was believed to be widespread. It was first grown in Australia in the Hunter Valley of New South Wales in 1840 to make sails for English Navy ships. Tasmania was also growing hemp at this time.

Awareness of pollution and depletion of natural resources, combined with the ever-increasing demand for materials to meet consumer needs and a change in global climate, has resurrected the interest in industrial hemp. Technological advances enable better hemp-based replacements of common products. Hemp creates an interesting value proposition for farmers, processors, traders, end user product manufacturers and users alike. Hemp does not pollute. Hemp does not deplete resources. Hemp is sustainable. Hemp is a solution.

The Industrial Hemp Western Australia Association (hereafter iHempWA) represents the state-based industrial hemp industry. On behalf of all stakeholders, the growers, processors, traders and hemp product manufacturers, we need to create increase awareness of the enormous sustainable economic and sustainability potential the industrial hemp industry has in Western Australia, and indeed the whole of Australia.

Competitive farming techniques, processing and innovative manufacturing has the potential to make Western Australia a leader in industrial hemp. Emerging markets such as carbon credits only make this proposition more valuable. Hemp is the way forward in Western Australia.

Definitions

iHempWA means Industrial Hemp Western Australia Association;

Cannabis means the plant umbrella name. The two subspecies of cannabis are hemp (Cannabis sativa L) and Medical Cannabis (Cannabis sativa indica).

Industrial hemp means Cannabis Sativa L, the leaves, stalk, roots and flowering heads of which do not contain more than 1% of tetrahydrocannabinol;

Hemp products means any products derived from industrial hemp, such as fibre, hurd, oil, seed, food, cosmetics, textiles, building materials, and bioplastics;

Medicinal hemp means a medicine extracted from Cannabis, the leaves and flowering heads of which do contain less than 1% or more of tetrahydrocannabinol;

iHempWA is the trusted industry voice that connects, guides and builds the Western Australian industrial hemp industry. We drive policy, education, support for industry, research and innovation, to make industrial hemp a mainstream product in everyday life for everyone.

iHempWA is committed to promoting the industrial hemp sector in Western Australia as a viable, diverse, and environmentally friendly industry that can contribute to the economic, social, and ecological well-being of the state and its people.

Position Statement

iHempWA has adopted and advocates for the following positions:

• Industrial hemp is Cannabis, Sativa L. the leaves, stalk, roots and flowering heads of which do not contain more than 1% of tetrahydrocannabinol. This definition needs to be adopted across all states and territories, and federal legislative and regulatory levels.

• The focus of the association is on industrial hemp. Medicinal hemp and cannabis for recreational use are not part of our portfolio and are represented by other organisations.

• Increase of awareness and acceptance of industrial hemp and hemp products among the public, the government, and the media, evidently need proper marketing of the benefits, uses, economic and sustainability potentials and case studies.

• Active involvement of tertiary education involvement and focused curriculum for the development and expansion of the industrial hemp value chain, from seed to sale is required.

• Government incentives for the use of industrial hemp products are required to establish a mainstream market for these products, leading to the economic growth and sustainability and environmental benefits experienced in other parts of the world where industrial hemp is a mainstream product.

• The industry representative body will act as a conduit by providing guidance, training, networking, and funding opportunities for farmers, processors, manufacturers, retailers and consumers.

• Compliance with the relevant laws, regulations, standards, and codes of conduct, and by implementing best practices and quality assurance measures will ensure the quality, safety, and compliance of industrial hemp and hemp products.

• Innovation, research and development of industrial hemp and hemp products is achieved by facilitating the exchange of knowledge, data, and technology between academic, scientific, industry and government partners and stakeholders.

• iHempWA will represent and protect the interests and rights of the industrial hemp sector in Western Australia, by engaging with the government, the regulators, and the stakeholders, and by advocating for favourable policies and legislation.

iHempWA will promote all its members, as well as the industrial hemp sector participants, to use this position statement to promote the industrial hemp industry growth in a diligent way, upholding the values and principles of iHempWA.

iHempWA reserves the right to review and revise this position statement as needed, in consultation with its members and partners.

www.ihempwa.org

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HEMP EVENTS

AHM Online Workshops starting 27th March

NoCo11 Returns to Estes Park, Colorado April 10-12, 2025

The relocation of NoCo Hemp Expo to Estes Park for the 10th Anniversary Event was an excellent choice and a wonderful success and we are happy to return to Estes in 2025.

iHempWA Memberships

iHempWA is a not for profit association that represents the growing industrial hemp sector in Western Australia.

We are constantly growing our membership. The membership funds give us resources to carry out our mission to drive policy, education, support for industry, research and innovation, to make hemp a mainstream product in everyday life for everyone.

Please consider becoming a member or donating, to enable us to represent you.

Become a member now!

HEMP EDUCATION

NATIONAL HEMP WEBINAR SERIES

THE LAUNCH OF CERTIFICATE III TRAINING IN HEMP

It was an enjoyable, informative, and enlightening conversation.

We thank Tony Lane, Founder and CEO of TME Training, a corporate member of AIHA, together with team members from TME, for his most informative presentation and for his willingness to answer all questions.

For those who attended, and for those who registered but could not attend, here are the recording details:

Recording Passcode: =tFW$i+6

DISCOVER HEXCORE’S AMAZING HEMP COMPOSITE BUILDING MATERIALS

Our presenter is Brett Boag, Founder of Hexcore Pty Ltd, based in Melbourne.

A qualified Organic Chemist, Brett has spent the past 18 years working in and with the Hemp Industry in China, Canada, Australia and New Zealand and is widely recognised as the ‘go to’ expert on all things Industrial Hemp related.

The mission of Hexcore is to lead the charge in creating environmentally responsible materials that uphhold superior quality standards. Hexcore is committed to fostering a greener future for construction by providing cutting-edge solutions that reduce the environmental footprint.

Hexcore is producing a range of building materials that will simply astound you. Visit the website at www.hexcore.com.au for full details, and attend the webinar to learn from a true expert in the field of hemp composite materials.
Recording Passcode: F+5A08J6

ASPECTS OF HEMPCRETE

Gary Rogers, the builder of the Indica Hemp House in Margaret River, winner of 6 WA Master Builder Awards. See www.indica.au for details of this amazing house that is operating as an AirBnB property.
Leigh Fletcher, Environmental Projects Officer for the Western Murray Land Improvement Group, who is helping to create a multi-million hempcrete block business.
Recording Passcode: !at&Lu4P

SOIL MICROBIOLOGY, HUMAN HEALTH AND SAFETY AND HEMP

Dr Mary Cole, Managing Director of AgPath Pty Ltd, a world-leading expert in soil microbiology, and Honorary Senior Fellow at Melbourne University. Her website is www.agpath.com.au
Dr Maggie Davidson, Lecturer and Researcher based at the University of Western Sydney, and an expert in occupational hygiene and safety, with a passion for safe working environments and understanding dusts of all descriptions.
Recording Passcode: bf5u$*wK

ASPECTS OF CARBON SEQUESTRATION AND CARBON CREDITS

James Vosper, Executive Director of Carbon Futures, an expert in the field of carbon sequestration, and Vice-President of the AIHA, former President of the AIHA.
Recording Passcode: 5rjRsHj%

EFFECTIVE TERMITE TREATMENT FOR HEMP-BASED BUILDING MATERIALS

The second main topic is a report on global hemp happenings and challenges, including the work of the Federation of International Hemp Organizations. Our presenter is Stephen Douglas, CEO of Westernport Eco Developments.

These AIHA Webinars are usually $10 but free for AIHA members. (that includes you, if you are a member of iHempWA) This webinar will be free for all. Visit the Hemp Alliance website at www.hempalliance.org.au

NEWS

We thank our iHempWA Corporate members who support us in our mission to drive policy, education, support for industry, research and innovation, to make hemp a mainstream product in everyday life for everyone. Please support the hemp businesses, enterprises, companies, affiliate organisations and all the wonderful people within the hemp sector.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our Sponsors and Corporate Members whose support fuels our relentless mission. Their invaluable contributions empower us to champion policy advancement, provide education, support the industry, spearhead research, and ignite innovation – all with the overarching goal of seamlessly integrating hemp into the fabric of everyday life for all. We encourage backing the amazing businesses and individuals that make up the industrial hemp sector in Western Australia.

The support of our sponsors and corporate members truly makes a remarkable difference, please support them!

Our Corporate Members

Our Associate Members

Information sharing between iHempWA and our Hemp Sector Affiliates is an important function and we are grateful that they are part of our network.

Our Affiliates

Here in the South-West, Ngala kaadatj nidja Wardandi Boodja. We acknowledge the Original caretakers of country locally, across Australia, and recognise their continuing connection to land, waters and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, our collective culture, and to elders both past, present and emerging.

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