A LEADING Tasmanian upper house parliamentarian believes the Tasmanian Government should approve trials to grow medicinal cannabis.
Independent Member for Murchison, Ruth Forrest, is heading up the Legislative Council inquiry into legalising the use of cannabis for medicinal purposes.
Ms Forrest said her personal view was the Tasmanian Government could authorise a trial, at any time.
"A trial is just a trial, it doesn't change anything, it doesn't legalise anything," Ms Forrest said.
"It is still up to the minister to sign off on a trial and he could do that at any time."
The committee had received about 50 submissions, mostly in favour of legalising the use of medicinal cannabis.
The inquiry aimed to thoroughly examine all aspects related to the legalisation of the use and cultivation of medical cannabis and any barriers which prevent access to it.
The government also needed to "show some leadership" in clarifying the debate over medicinal cannabis and industrial hemp.
"The government really needs to show some leadership in this and clearly separate out the two discussions," Ms Forrest said.
"The Deputy Premier (Jeremy Rockliff) did make progressive comments about industrial hemp, but the government needs to be more vocal."
"It is clear it is a separate crop; it's a bit like growing carrots and potatoes, they are both vegetables, but just because you grow potatoes doesn't mean you can't grow carrots."
The State Government has said it will look at a possible trial, once the Legislative Council committee has brought down its report.
Ms Forrest's call comes after a group of southern Tasmanian councils backed a trial of growing medicinal cannabis.
The 12 councils, which make up the Think South group, agreed to the trial, proposed by Huon Valley and Derwent Valley.
Think South chief executive Brenton West said it was disappointing medicinal cannabis producer Tascann had sought to carry out trials on Norfolk Island.
The plan was overturned by the Norfolk Island administrator.
"We should be doing everything we can to encourage economic activity," Mr West said.
"We are not saying it should be full-blown, open slather – let's look at a trial."
The growth, and regulation, of the poppy industry was a good template, he said.
"We can continue to be innovators and pioneers in specific agricultural crops – but if we don't act, we will miss out on this opportunity."
But the northern council, where most of the State's industrial hemp is grown, has reacted cautiously to trailling medicinal cannabis.
Meander Valley Council mayor Craig Perkins said officers would work with the industrial hemp sector to help promote its use.
He said recent attention on medicinal cannabis was causing confusion.
"Industrial hemp and medicinal cannabis aren't one and the same – they are very different products," Cr Perkins said.
"The industrial hemp industry is established and well-regulated. The introduction of a medicinal cannabis industry in Tasmania presents significant challenges in regards to regulation and security and council will monitor the debate and discussion around this."
