Event targets hemp opportunities

Bunbury will host the Industrial Hemp WA Association’s information event, iHemposium 2018, for the first time next month.

Association chairwoman Georgina Wilkinson said the event was the third of its kind with the previous two meetings taking place in Margaret River.

“We had the previous two meetings in Margaret River mainly because the founding members were from there,” she said.

“We decided moving slightly closer to Perth would give people more of an idea and allow more people to attend.

“We have growers up north and all over the State so this meeting will be a bit more central for them.”

Ms Wilkinson said the purpose of the event was to educate people about how hemp could be grown and used.

“The focus of the event will be about networking people involved in industrial hemp,” she said.

“There will be businesses that are already working in the industry as well as farmers talking about the growing of industrial hemp.

“It is really an educational event, obviously with the new legislation coming out, and it will be a chance to let people know what is happening in the future.”

Ms Wilkinson said there was still a stigma attached to growing hemp.

“I think you will find that most people that will come to this symposium will actually know the difference between marijuana and industrial hemp,” she said.

“We want to showcase a couple of different products and we will have around 10 or 11 different stalls that all make things out of hemp.

“It is just a matter of showcasing to people what hemp can do and how the industry has a really good chance with the rest of Australia.

“We are a little bit behind in WA but I really think we have an opportunity to catch up as an industry.”

Booking must be made at http://ihempwa.org/public/schedule/events.