Industrial Hemp Act 2015 (TAS)

Industrial Hemp Act 2015

An Act to authorise and regulate the cultivation of industrial hemp and for related purposes

[Royal Assent 2 November 2015]

Be it enacted by Her Excellency the Governor of Tasmania, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council and House of Assembly, in Parliament assembled, as follows:

PART 1Preliminary1Short titleThis Act may be cited as the Industrial Hemp Act 2015. 2CommencementThis Act commences on a day to be proclaimed. 3Act binds CrownThis Act binds the Crown in right of Tasmania and, so far as the legislative power of Parliament permits, in all its other capacities. 4InterpretationIn this Act, unless the contrary intention appears – certified hemp seed means seed certified, in accordance with the regulations, as seed that will typically produce hemp plants with a concentration of THC in the leaves and flowering heads of not more than 0.5%; corresponding law means a law of another Australian jurisdiction that is declared by the regulations to be a corresponding law for the purposes of this Act; criminal history, in relation to a person, means any conviction of, and finding of guilt against, the person other than an annulled conviction, within the meaning of the Annulled Convictions Act 2003; cultivate includes the following: (a) plant a seed, seedling or cutting; (b) graft, divide or transplant a plant; (c) nurture, tend, grow or harvest a plant; drug-related offence means an indictable offence under the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001, the Poisons Act 1971 or the Criminal Code Act 1924 or under a corresponding law; [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] fit and proper, in relation to a person – see section 4A; function includes power, authority and duty; hemp means any plant of the genus Cannabis; industrial hemp means any plant of the genus Cannabis that – (a) has been grown from certified hemp seed; and (b) has a concentration of THC in the leaves and flowering heads of not more than 1% – and includes the seed of any such plant and any product derived from any such plant; industrial hemp licence means an industrial hemp licence issued in accordance with section 12; [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] inspector means – (a) a person appointed to hold the office of inspector under section 22; or (b) a police officer; [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] licence means an industrial hemp licence, or a special research licence, in force under this Act; premises includes the following: (a) a building or structure; (b) land or a place (whether built on or not); (c) a conveyance; records includes plans, specifications, maps, reports, books and other documents whether in writing, in electronic form or otherwise; regulations means regulations made under this Act; [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] responsible officer, in relation to a licence, means the person who is appointed as the responsible officer in relation to the licence under section 21A; Secretary means the Secretary of the Department; sell means sell by wholesale or retail and includes the following: (a) agree to sell; (b) offer or expose for sale; (c) keep, or possess, for sale; (d) deal in, barter or exchange; (e) send, forward, deliver or receive for sale; (f) authorise, direct, cause, permit, or suffer any of the things in paragraph (a), (b), (c), (d) or (e) to be done; [Section 4 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 4, Applied:08 Nov 2024] special research licence means a special research licence issued in accordance with section 14; supply includes the following: (a) deliver, sell, trade, give or distribute, whether for valuable consideration or not; (b) offer or agree to supply; (c) cause or permit to supply; (d) hold in possession for the purpose of supply; (e) produce or pack for the purpose of supply; THC means delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol. 4AMeaning of fit and proper [Section 4A Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 5, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1) The Secretary may take into account the following matters when determining, for the purposes of this Act, if a natural person is a fit and proper person: (a) any conviction of the person for an indictable offence; (b) any civil penalty (however described) imposed upon the person under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; (c) any revocation or suspension of a licence or permit (however described) held by the person under a law of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or another country, being a law relating to the prohibition or regulation of drugs; (d) the capacity of the person to comply with the conditions of the licence; (e) the person’s history of compliance with this Act. (2) The Secretary may take into account the following matters when determining, for the purposes of this Act, if a body corporate is a fit and proper person: (a) any conviction of the body corporate for an offence against a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; (b) any civil penalty (however described) imposed upon the body corporate under a law of the Commonwealth, a State or a Territory; (c) if there is such a conviction or imposition of a civil penalty upon the body corporate – (i) whether the offence concerned was committed, or the conduct to which the civil penalty relates occurred, at a time when any person who is presently a director or officer of the body corporate was such a director or officer; and (ii) whether the offence concerned was committed, or the conduct to which the civil penalty relates occurred, at a time when any shareholder of the body corporate who is presently in a position to influence the management of the body corporate was such a shareholder; (d) any revocation or suspension of a licence or permit (however described) held by the body corporate under a law of the Commonwealth, a State, a Territory or another country, being a law relating to the prohibition or regulation of drugs; (e) whether a person who is, or is to be, the responsible officer in relation to the licence is a fit and proper person; (f) whether – (i) each director of the body corporate is a fit and proper person; or (ii) more than 10% of the body corporate is owned by a person who is not a fit and proper person; (g) the capacity of the body corporate to meet the conditions of the licence; (h) the body corporate’s history of compliance with this Act. 5Relationship with Poisons Act 1971Nothing in the Poisons Act 1971 affects any provision of this Act or renders unlawful anything done in accordance with any such provision. 6Delegation (1) The Minister or the Secretary may delegate any of his or her functions or powers under this Act, other than this power of delegation. (2) A delegation by the Minister or Secretary under this section – (a) is to be by instrument in writing; and (b) may be absolute or conditional; and (c) does not derogate from the power of the Minister or Secretary, respectively, to act in any matter; and (d) may be revoked by the Minister or Secretary, respectively. PART 2Licences7Application for licence (1)  [Section 7 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 6, Applied:08 Nov 2024] A person may apply to the Secretary for an industrial hemp licence or a special research licence. (2)  An application must – (a) be in a form approved by the Secretary; and (b) be accompanied by the prescribed fee; and (c) contain such other information, and be accompanied by such other records, as the Secretary may require to determine the application. 8Investigation of application (1) On receipt of an application for a licence, the Secretary may carry out such investigations and inquiries as the Secretary considers necessary to determine the application. (1A)  [Section 8 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] Without limiting the generality of subsection (1), the Secretary is to forward a copy of an application for a licence to the Commissioner of Police. (1B)  [Section 8 Subsection (1B) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] The Commissioner of Police is to inquire into, and report to the Secretary on, such matters concerning the application for a licence as the Secretary requests. (1C)  [Section 8 Subsection (1C) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 7, Applied:08 Nov 2024] The Commissioner of Police is not required to disclose information under subsection (1B) to the extent that to do so would prejudice the prevention, investigation or prosecution of an offence. (2) The Secretary may, by notice in writing, require an applicant to – (a) provide such information, and produce such records, as are relevant to the investigation of the application and specified in the notice; and (b) provide the Secretary with such authorities and consents as the Secretary directs to enable the Secretary to obtain financial or other confidential information concerning the applicant from other persons. (3) If a requirement made under this section is not complied with, the Secretary may refuse to determine the application. 9Suitability of applicant (1) The Secretary must not grant a licence to an applicant unless satisfied that the applicant is a fit and proper person to be involved in the possession, cultivation or supply of hemp or industrial hemp. (2) The Secretary may refuse to grant a licence to a person if the person has been found guilty of a drug-related offence. (3) The Secretary may refuse to grant a licence to a person – (a) if the person has been found guilty of an offence that, in the opinion of the Secretary, makes the person unsuitable to be involved in, the possession, cultivation or supply of hemp or industrial hemp under a licence; or (b) on any other grounds that the Secretary considers appropriate. (4) The regulations may make further provision for the circumstances in which the Secretary may refuse, or is required to refuse, to grant a licence to a person. 10Criminal history of applicant (1) The Secretary must take into account an applicant’s criminal history. (2) Any costs incurred by the Secretary in investigating an applicant’s criminal history under subsection (1) are to be paid by the applicant. 11Secretary must consult Minister [Section 11 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 8, Applied:08 Nov 2024] Before determining an application for a special research licence, the Secretary must consult with the Minister administering the Poisons Act 1971 or with a person appointed by that Minister for that purpose. 12Determination of licence application (1) The Secretary is to determine an application for a licence – (a) [Section 12 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 9, Applied:08 Nov 2024] by granting the application and issuing an industrial hemp licence or a special research licence to the applicant; or (b) by refusing the application. (2) The Secretary is to give the applicant written notice of the determination of the application and, if the application is refused, written reasons for the refusal. 13Industrial hemp licenceAn industrial hemp licence may authorise a person to possess, cultivate or supply industrial hemp for any one or more of the following purposes specified in the licence: (a) commercial production; (b) use in any manufacturing process; (c) food production; (ca) [Section 13 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 10, Applied:08 Nov 2024] horticultural use; (d) scientific research, instruction, analysis or study; (e) any other purpose approved by the Secretary. 14Special research licence [Section 14 Amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 11, Applied:08 Nov 2024] A special research licence may authorise a person to possess, cultivate or supply hemp, that is not industrial hemp, for the purpose of scientific research, instruction, analysis or study. 15Offence not to comply with licenceA person who is the holder of a licence – (a) must not possess, cultivate or supply hemp or industrial hemp otherwise than for the purpose for which the licence is granted; and (b) must comply with the terms and conditions of the licence. Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both. 16Duration of licenceA licence continues in force for a period of 5 years from the date on which it was granted or renewed, or such shorter period as may be specified in the licence. 17Conditions of licence (1)  A licence is subject to – (a) such terms and conditions as are imposed by this Act or prescribed by the regulations; and (b) such terms and conditions as may be imposed by the Secretary, at the time the licence is granted or renewed or at any later time. (2) A term or condition imposed by the Secretary after the licence is granted or renewed takes effect – (a) when written notice of the term or condition is given to the holder of the licence; or (b) at such later date as may be specified in the notice. (3) The Secretary may at any time, by notice in writing to the holder of a licence, vary or revoke a term or condition imposed by the Secretary. 18Suspension or cancellation of licence (1)  [Section 18 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 12, Applied:08 Nov 2024] The Secretary may, by written notice served on a licence holder, suspend or cancel an industrial hemp licence or a special research licence – (a) if satisfied that the person has breached a term or condition of the licence; or (b) if satisfied that the person is no longer a fit and proper person to hold the licence; or (c) for any other prescribed reason. (2) Before suspending or cancelling a licence, the Secretary is to – (a) give to the holder of the licence one month’s notice in writing to show cause why the licence should not be suspended or cancelled; and (b) give consideration to any representations which the holder may make in that respect. (3)  The suspension or cancellation of a licence takes effect – (a) on and from the day specified in the notice; and (b) in the case of a suspension, for the period specified in the notice. 19Renewal of licence (1) Not less than 30 days before the expiration of a licence, the holder of the licence may apply to the Secretary for the renewal of the licence. (2) The Secretary, at his or her discretion, may accept an application for the renewal of a licence lodged less than 30 days before the expiration of the licence. (3)  An application for renewal must be – (a) in a form approved by the Secretary; and (b) accompanied by any prescribed fee and, in the case of an application accepted under subsection (2), any further prescribed late fee; and (c) accompanied by any documents and information the Secretary requires. (4)  Sections 8, 9, 12, 16, 17, 20 and 21 apply to an application for, and the grant and issue of, the renewal of a licence in the same manner as they apply to an application for, and the grant and issue of, a licence. (5)  If an application for renewal of a licence is made under this section, the current licence continues in force until it is renewed or its renewal is refused. (6)  The renewal of a licence takes effect from the date on which the licence was due to expire. (7)  The refusal to renew a licence takes effect on the date of the notice of refusal. (8) An applicant for renewal must disclose to the Secretary any offences committed within the period of the licence.Penalty: Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. 20Application for review of decision (1) An applicant may apply to the Minister to review a decision of the Secretary. (2)  The application – (a) is to be made in writing within 30 days of the applicant receiving notice of the Secretary’s decision; and (b) is to specify the reasons for the application. (3)  The Minister may extend the period referred to in subsection (2) for making an application. 21Review of decision (1)  The Minister must, within 30 days after receiving an application under section 20 for a review of a decision, make a determination – (a) substituting the decision with another decision; or (b) confirming the decision; or (c) revoking the decision. (2)  The Minister must, by notice served on the applicant, notify the applicant of – (a) the determination made; and (b) the findings on material questions of fact; and (c) the evidence or other material on which the findings are based; and (d) the reasons for the determination. 21AResponsible officers [Section 21A Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 13, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1)  The holder of a licence who is not a natural person is to appoint a natural person as the responsible officer in relation to the licence. (2)  If the holder of a licence fails to appoint a responsible officer under subsection (1), the person responsible for the direction and management of the business of the holder of the licence is taken to have been appointed as the responsible officer in relation to the licence. (3)  The holder of a licence is to ensure that a responsible officer appointed under subsection (1) has sufficient authority to perform the responsibilities of a responsible officer under this Act. (4)  If the holder of a licence appoints a person as a responsible officer in relation to that licence under subsection (1), the holder of the licence must, as soon as practicable after making the appointment, notify that person, in writing, of the appointment.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 20 penalty units. 21BResponsibilities of responsible officer [Section 21B Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 13, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1)  In this section – responsibilities includes the duties imposed on the holder of a licence under this Act and any conditions or restrictions specified in the licence. (2)  A responsible officer in relation to a licence must perform the responsibilities of the holder of the licence.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. (3)  A responsible officer in relation to a licence is not to be taken to have failed to perform any responsibility of the holder of the licence if – (a) it was not reasonably practicable for the responsible officer to perform that responsibility; or (b) the failure to perform the responsibility was due to causes over which the responsible officer had no control and against the happening of which it was not reasonably practicable for the responsible officer to make provision; or (c) the responsible officer exercised due diligence to prevent the failure to perform the responsibility; or (d) the responsible officer was unaware that the responsible officer had been appointed, or was taken to have been appointed, as the responsible officer. (4)  Nothing in this section relieves the holder of a licence of the requirement to perform the licence holder’s responsibilities under this Act. (5)  A responsible officer may be proceeded against and convicted of having failed to perform the responsibilities of the holder of the licence under this Act whether or not the holder of the licence has been proceeded against or has been convicted of having failed to perform the responsibilities. 21CObstruction of responsible officer [Section 21C Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 13, Applied:08 Nov 2024] A person having authority or control over the responsible officer in relation to a licence must not exercise that authority or control in any way to obstruct the responsible officer in the performance of the responsible officer’s responsibilities under this Act.Penalty:  In the case of – (a) a body corporate, a fine not exceeding 500 penalty units; or (b) a natural person, a fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. PART 3Inspectors22Inspectors (1) The Secretary may appoint persons to hold the office of inspector for the purposes of this Act. (2)  An inspector may be appointed generally or for a specified purpose. (3)  A person who is a State Service officer or State Service employee may hold the office of inspector in conjunction with his or her State Service employment. (4)  [Section 22 Subsection (4) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 14, Applied:08 Nov 2024] An inspector appointed under this section is to exercise power subject to any conditions specified by the Secretary in the instrument of appointment. 23Powers of inspectors (1)  An inspector may – (a) enter, inspect and examine any premises if the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that hemp is being kept, cultivated or supplied at those premises contrary to this Act; and (b) inspect, take copies of or seize any records, documents or other matter kept at any premises or in any conveyance in relation to the possession, cultivation or supply of hemp; and (c) [Section 23 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 15, Applied:08 Nov 2024] test, or cause to be tested, any hemp that is being kept, cultivated or supplied at any premises to determine the concentration of THC in the hemp; and (d) do anything else necessary or desirable to ensure compliance with this Act; and (e) exercise other prescribed powers. (2) An inspector exercising power under this section is not entitled to enter premises, or a part of premises, used for residential purposes, except – (a) with the consent of the occupier or owner of the premises; or (b) under the authority of a search warrant. 24Hemp to be tested (1)  [Section 24 Subsection (1) amended by No. 22 of 2024, s. 16, Applied:08 Nov 2024] An inspector may test, or cause to be tested, any hemp cultivated under this Act to determine the concentration of THC in the hemp. (2) Testing under this section is to be carried out at the times and in the manner prescribed by the regulations. 24AActions where hemp THC concentration over 1% [Section 24A Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 17, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1) If an inspector tests hemp, or causes hemp to be tested, under section 24 and that hemp has a concentration of THC in the leaves and flowering heads of more than 1%, the Secretary is to – (a) direct the holder of the licence under which the hemp was cultivated to destroy the hemp or part of the hemp; or (b) in a case where the Secretary is satisfied that the crop was grown in good faith, give any other direction or such authorisation, in relation to the possession or supply of the hemp or part of the hemp, that the Secretary thinks fit. (2) The holder of a licence must comply with a direction given to the licence holder by the Secretary under subsection (1) .Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. (3) If the holder of a licence does not comply with a direction of the Secretary under subsection (1)  – (a) the hemp is forfeited to the Crown and the Secretary may cause the hemp to be destroyed; and (b) the holder of the licence must pay to the Crown the reasonable costs of that destruction. (4) The Secretary – (a) may seek the advice of the Commissioner of Police before giving a direction or authorisation under subsection (1)(b); and (b) is to notify the Commissioner of Police of any direction given under subsection (1)(a). 25Search warrants (1) An inspector may apply to a justice of the peace for the issue of a search warrant in respect of premises if – (a) it appears to the inspector that the premises, or any part of them, are used for residential purposes; and (b) the inspector proposes to, and has reasonable grounds for proposing to, exercise a power under section 23 in respect of the premises; and (c) the occupier of the premises has refused to allow the inspector entry to the premises for that purpose, or the inspector believes on reasonable grounds that the occupier is not likely to allow such entry. (2) If a justice of the peace is satisfied by evidence on oath, whether oral or by affidavit, that there are reasonable grounds for doing so, the justice may issue a search warrant authorising an inspector named in the warrant, and any assistants the inspector considers necessary, to enter the premises and exercise all or specified powers of an inspector under section 23 in respect of the premises. (3)  In addition to any other requirement, a search warrant issued under this section must state – (a) the grounds for the issue of the warrant; and (b) the premises to be searched; and (c) any conditions to which the warrant is subject; and (d) whether entry is authorised to be made at any time or during stated hours; and (e) a day, not later than 7 days after the issue of the warrant, on which the warrant ceases to have effect. (4)  [Section 25 Subsection (4) omitted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 18, Applied:08 Nov 2024] .  .  .  .  .  .  .  .   (5) Before executing a search warrant, the inspector named in the warrant or a person assisting the inspector must announce that he or she is authorised by the warrant to enter the premises and give any person at the premises an opportunity to allow entry to the premises. (6)  The inspector or a person assisting the inspector need not comply with subsection (5) if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that immediate entry to the premises is required to ensure that the effective execution of the search warrant is not frustrated. (7) If an occupier or another person who apparently represents the occupier is present at premises when a search warrant is being executed, the inspector must give that person a copy of the warrant. 26Interference with inspectorsA person must not obstruct, hinder, threaten or attempt to influence an inspector in the exercise of a power under this Act.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. PART 4Offences27False or misleading statementsA person must not, in giving any information under this Act – (a) make a statement knowing it to be false or misleading; or (b) omit any matter from a statement knowing that without that matter the statement is false or misleading. Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 30 penalty units or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years, or both. 28Offences (1)  A person must not, without lawful excuse, refuse or fail to comply with a requirement made of the person under this Act.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. (2)  A person must not impersonate an inspector.Penalty:  Fine not exceeding 100 penalty units. 29Provisions relating to requirements to furnish records, information or answer questions (1) A person is not guilty of an offence of failing to comply with a requirement under this Act to provide records or information or to answer a question unless the person was warned on that occasion that a failure to comply is an offence. (2) A person is not excused from a requirement under this Act to provide any records or information, or to answer a question, on the ground that the record, information or answer might incriminate the person or make the person liable to a penalty. (3)  However, any information provided or answer given by a natural person in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not admissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings (except proceedings for an offence under this Act) if – (a) the person objected at the time to doing so on the ground that it might incriminate the person; or (b) the person was not warned on that occasion that the person may object to providing the information, or giving the answer, on the ground that it might incriminate the person. (4)  Any record provided by a person in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not inadmissible in evidence against the person in criminal proceedings on the ground that the record might incriminate the person. (5)  Further information obtained as a result of a record or information provided or of an answer given in compliance with a requirement under this Act is not inadmissible on the ground that – (a) the record or information had to be provided or the answer had to be given; or (b) the record or information provided or answer given might incriminate the person. (6)  This section extends to a requirement under this Act to state a person’s name and address. 30Offences by corporations (1)  If a corporation contravenes any provision of this Act, each person who is a director of the corporation or who is concerned in the management of the corporation is taken to have contravened the same provision, if the person knowingly authorised or permitted the contravention. (2)  A person may be proceeded against and convicted under a provision pursuant to subsection (1) whether or not the corporation has been proceeded against or convicted under that provision. (3)  Nothing in this section affects any liability imposed on a corporation for an offence committed by the corporation under this Act. 31Proceedings for offences (1)  Proceedings for an offence under this Act may be dealt with summarily. (2)  Any such proceedings must be commenced not later than 12 months from the time of the offence. 32Infringement notices (1)  In this section – infringement offence means an offence against this Act that is prescribed by the regulations to be an infringement offence. (2)  An inspector may issue and serve an infringement notice on a person if he or she reasonably believes that the person has committed an infringement offence. (3)  An infringement notice may not be served on an individual who has not attained the age of 16 years. (4) An infringement notice is to be in accordance with section 14 of the Monetary Penalties Enforcement Act 2005. (5) The regulations – (a) may prescribe, for infringement offences, the penalties payable under infringement notices; and (b) may prescribe different penalties for bodies corporate and individuals. 33Forfeiture and destruction of hemp and industrial hemp (1) If a person is found guilty by a court of an offence under this Act or the regulations, the court may order the forfeiture to the Crown of any hemp or industrial hemp that was, at the time of the commission of the offence, in the person’s possession or apparently under the person’s control. (2) If a licence is revoked, any hemp or industrial hemp in the possession of the former licensee or apparently under the former licensee’s control is forfeited to the Crown. (3)  Subject to subsection (4), any hemp or industrial hemp that is forfeited to the Crown under this section is to be destroyed in accordance with the directions of the Secretary. (4) The Secretary may, instead of directing the destruction of the hemp or industrial hemp, authorise a person to take possession of the hemp or industrial hemp, on behalf of the Crown or some other person, so that it can be cultivated or supplied for a purpose specified by the Secretary. (5) If any hemp or industrial hemp is destroyed under this section, the person referred to in subsection (1) or the former licensee, as the case requires, must pay to the Crown the reasonable costs of the destruction. PART 5Miscellaneous34Approved fees (1) The regulations may prescribe fees for the purposes of this Act. (2) The Secretary may waive all or part of any fee payable under this Act in any circumstances the Secretary considers appropriate. 35Protection from personal liability (1)  In this section – official means – (a) the Secretary; or (b) a person acting under the direction of the Secretary; or (c) a member of staff of the Department; or (d) an inspector. (2)  An official does not incur any personal liability in respect of any act done or omitted in good faith – (a) in the performance or exercise, or the purported performance or exercise, of any function or power under this Act; or (b) in the administration or execution, or purported administration or execution, of this Act. (3)  A civil liability that would, but for this section, attach to an official attaches to the Crown. 35AAuthorisation of possession and supply of hemp [Section 35A Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 19, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1) The Commissioner of Police may authorise a police officer, State Service officer or State Service employee to possess and supply industrial hemp or hemp for such purposes, and upon such terms and conditions, as are specified in the authorisation. (2)  Despite any other Act or law of this jurisdiction, a person authorised under subsection (1) who engages in conduct that, but for this section, would constitute an offence is not criminally responsible in relation to the conduct if the person engages in the conduct under and in accordance with an authorisation under this section. 36Savings provisions for current licences (1)  Subject to subsection (2), a licence issued in respect of the growing or cultivating of a prohibited plant under Part V of the Poisons Act 1971, and in force immediately before the commencement of this Act, continues in force for 5 years from the date of issue of the licence as if it were a licence issued under this Act. (2) The Secretary may vary the terms and conditions of a licence referred to in subsection (1) as if it were a licence issued under this Act. 37Regulations (1) The Governor may make regulations for the purposes of this Act. (1A)  [Section 37 Subsection (1A) inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 20, Applied:08 Nov 2024] Without limiting subsection (1), the regulations may prescribe the types of activities that may, or may not, be carried out under an industrial hemp licence or special research licence. (2) The regulations may provide for fees and charges payable in respect of any matter under this Act. (3) The regulations may be made so as to apply differently according to matters, limitations or restrictions, whether as to time, circumstance or otherwise, specified in the regulations. (4) The regulations may authorise any matter to be from time to time determined, applied, approved, or regulated, by the Minister or the Secretary. 37ATransitional provisions consequent on enactment of Industrial Hemp Amendment Act 2024 [Section 37A Inserted by No. 22 of 2024, s. 21, Applied:08 Nov 2024] (1)  In this section – amending Act means the Industrial Hemp Amendment Act 2024; commencement day means the day on which the amending Act commences. (2)  A special licence that was in force under this Act immediately before commencement dayis taken, on and after the commencement day, to be a special research licence, subject to the conditions specified in the licence immediately before the commencement day. (3)  An application for the grant or the renewal of a special licence that was made under this Act that is not determined before the commencement day is taken, on and after the commencement day, to be an application for a special research licence under this Act. 38Administration of ActUntil provision is made in relation to this Act by order under section 4 of the Administrative Arrangements Act 1990  – (a) the administration of this Act is assigned to the Minister for Primary Industries and Water; and (b) the department responsible to that Minister in relation to the administration of this Act is the Department of Primary Industries, Parks, Water and Environment. 39Principal ActIn this Act, the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001 is referred to as the Principal Act. 40The amendment effected by this section has been incorporated into the authorised version of the Misuse of Drugs Act 2001.