Rachel requested that the Minister advocates for greater support for medicinal cannabis industry growers and suppliers in Victoria.
Per the Victorian medicinal cannabis industry development plan, the Victorian government aimed to create a medicinal cannabis industry that could supply half of Australia’s market for medicinal cannabis by 2028. Rachel noted that the Business Victoria website shows limited suitable grants programs, and an online link on the Department of Health site for medicinal cannabis investment in Melbourne and Victoria leads to a “page not found” section of the Invest Victoria website.
Thursday the 19th of February 2026,
Victorian Legislative Council
Rachel Payne (South-Eastern Metropolitan):
To ask the Minister for Skills and TAFE (for the Minister for Agriculture):
My adjournment matter is for the Minister for Agriculture, and the action I seek is for the minister to advocate for more supports for the medicinal cannabis industry in Victoria. Per the Victorian medicinal cannabis industry development plan the Victorian government aimed to create a medicinal cannabis industry that could supply half of Australia’s market for medicinal cannabis by 2028.
This aim recognised that supporting this industry would result in high-value job creation, high domestic market share and a potential international market. It also recognised how life-changing access to medicinal cannabis is for so many. At the time of the plan’s creation it noted that if Victoria’s producers could meet the need for 83,000 Australian patients and expand into export markets, the industry’s economic contribution to the state could reach $90 million per year.
Since the development of this plan the medicinal cannabis market has boomed, as has the economic contribution of the industry to our state. Further opportunities to support medicinal cannabis producers can help to ensure that Victoria continues to be a leader in the medicinal cannabis industry space, particularly for small to medium businesses trying to establish themselves in the market. I recently had the pleasure of visiting one of the medicinal cannabis farms in Victoria. They told us about the challenges their industry faces and asked for greater state-based support and grants. At present the Department of Health’s ‘Medicinal cannabis information for business and industry’ page does not include a section dealing with investment in Melbourne and in Victoria. However, a link on this page takes you to a ‘Page not found’ section of the Invest Victoria website and a link to Business Victoria shows limited suitable programs. Victoria is a safe and responsible supplier of medicinal cannabis, but we can do better to support small to medium businesses in this industry.
So I ask: will the minister commit to funding more supports for the medicinal cannabis industry in Victoria?
Response Received, 19th of March 2026:
I thank the Member for their question.
Assistance currently available to medicinal cannabis businesses in the agriculture portfolio focuses on drought resilience and innovation, and eligible medicinal cannabis businesses may access these programs. The Farm Drought Support Grants program is statewide and supports primary production businesses to implement on-farm infrastructure improvements and other essential activities. Up to date information on all grants offered by Agriculture Victoria is available at: https://agriculture.vic.gov.au/support-and-resources/funds-grants-programs.
Businesses seeking business support beyond these programs may also be eligible for grant and advisory programs delivered by Business Victoria and the Department of Jobs, Skills, Industry and Regions (DJSIR). These programs assist small and medium enterprises with investment, innovation, commercialisation and business growth.
Questions regarding Business Victoria grant programs and eligibility requirements for medicinal cannabis businesses should be directed to the Minister for Small Business.
The Hon. Ros Spence MP
Minister for Agriculture
Related:
- Medicinal cannabis driving amendments – Committee debate – Rachel Payne
- Let medicinal cannabis patients drive – Rachel Payne
- Cannabis for women’s pain management – Rachel Payne
- In Conversation: Women’s Health and Cannabis – Rachel Payne
- Hemp Industry Grants – Rachel Payne
- Leave lawfare out of the hemp industry – Rachel Payne
