Hemp and the law in Australia
Hemp was legalised as a food in Australia in 2017.
Prior to 2017, all species of cannabis were restricted from being sold as food, even those with very low amounts of THC (the active ingredient in marijuana that gets you stoned). Now, the varieties of hemp used for industrial and food purposes are grown and processed legally across the country.
Hemp foods are still regulated under Food Standards Australia New Zealand (FSANZ). Among other things, the standards require that hemp foods contain a maximum level of THC, which means that they:
- Are safe for human consumption.
- Have no psychoactive properties.
- Will not cause people to fail a drug test.
WA also has its own standards for food-grade hemp, which are part of the way we ensure the exceptional quality of South Coast Hemp.
Most importantly, FSANZ’s report found that the perceived risks of legalising hemp foods were minimal, and far outweighed by the benefits of making this nutritious and sustainable food available to Australians – which is exactly why we started South Coast Hemp.
