Scott Sawyer
Klara Marosszeky with farmers Connie and Lonnie Minos who have been growing the industrial hemp crop at Ashford.
ESTABLISHING a commercial hemp industry on the Sunshine Coast has been made an official policy of the Australian Independents Party after surprisingly strong support for the idea from the community.
But party officials say that while former cane land was the preferred site for hemp crops, their first priority would be getting the cane industry back on its feet.
A Daily online poll on May 15, which revealed a staggering 89% in favour of growing hemp, helped push the party towards its final decision.
Leader Dr Patricia Petersen, said the party’s own polling had shown a surprising 87% support.
“I was incredibly surprised. I spoke to a lot of people in Noosaville, especially a lot of elderly people, and there was so much support for the proposition,” she said.
“I could not find one elderly person against the idea.”
Full Article:
http://www.sunshinecoastdaily.com.au/news/new-party-sweetens-coast-farming-options/1873682/