WHY THE AIHA WAS FORMED
The Purpose of the Association is to represent businesses and oganisations involved in any aspects of industrial hemp and associated products at a national level in Australia. It also represents the Australian industry in international and global groups and forums. There are various Industrial Hemp Associations in a number of States in Australia, some of which are members of the AIHA. The AIHA is the only national body that has a democratically elected Executive Committee. Since its formation in 2015 the AIHA has had four Presidents and has had frequent changes in other positions. The Executive Committee currently consists of eight members, four of whom are active hemp farmers.
There are varying State laws and regulations throughout Australia that regulate industrial hemp in different ways. There are Australian Federal laws and Australian regulatory bodies and organisations that expressed the need for an Australia-wide organisation to be created in addition to the Industrial Hemp Associations in the various Australian States.
Agrifutures confirmed that it had been waiting for a national industry body to emerge at the first AGM of the AIHA in 2015. They are looking to develop projects that will benefit the whole sector. We are working with Agrifutures to identify the high-priority projects with the most capacity to deliver a step-change in industry competitiveness.
Broader issues around regulation remain obstacles to industry development, including the variations in low THC levels between the States and the inequalities in opportunity where States have not amended legislation adequately.
The members of AIHA include growers, processors, retailers, educators, manufacturers and marketers, all united in their passion for this wonderful natural crop, industrial hemp.
The Association operates under the Associations Incorporation Act 2009 and has adopted the NSW Model Rules in its Constitution. The Constitution can be downloaded here.
RECENT ACTIVITIES OF THE AIHA
The AIHA held its most recent Annual General Meeting on November 14th 2023.
It seems that the hemp industry is finally coming out of the dark and the past 12 months have seen a lot of activity. See the 2023 Annual Report for full details of our activities.
Legislation has been a long time coming and recognition needs to be given to the early advocates for their more than 20-year commitment to lobbying government, to shed light on these issues.
In 2021 a submission was made to FSANZ to change the law prohibiting human consumption of green material from the hemp plant. This is being actively supported by AIHA.
There is also research being undertaken to legalise the hemp biomass as a fodder crop for ruminants. The research results are proving positive and the prospect of hemp entering the $6.5 billion Australian forage market is exciting for hemp farmers.
Regarding medicinal cannabis, the law on the scheduling of Cannabidiol (CBD) was amended and came into effect on February 1st 2021. This saw CBD down scheduled from Schedule 4 (prescription only) to Schedule 3 (over the counter in pharmacies). This received a lot of media coverage and pharmacies received a large number of enquiries. In order to be available a product needs to be registered on the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods (ARTG). As of April 2022, there are no -products that have completed registration.
Expansion of availability will be in response to demand, so the role of GPs will remain critical. While it was disappointing to learn that hoped-for training through the Royal Australasian College of Physicians will not proceed, the Medicinal Taskforce is seeking to work with GPs to ensure that training and information are readily available to them. There is an active website for information on medicinal cannabis and its regulation https://www.odc.gov.au/
HOW TO JOIN THE AIHA
The AIHA welcomes applications for membership from all participants in the Australian industrial hemp industry and also invites members of the public who see value in supporting the ethical expansion of the hemp industry, to support the Alliance with their Associate membership ($50/non-voting).
The AIHA’s Executive Committee comprises volunteers who are committed to the development of hemp as a major Australian industry and to supporting hemp-based regional development.
