Legalise Cannabis WA Party brings WA distillery owners to Denmark to find paths to a fairer alcohol industry

Distillers and hemp supporters in WA’s south have called for a two-pronged attack to create a more even playing field for small companies and alternative producers in the State’s boutique alcohol industry. Legalise Cannabis WA Party members and supporters gathered with Great Southern winery owners and distillers for an information night at The Dam in Denmark on February 27. Distillers came from local enterprises and Statewide operations. Both State and Federal Upper House candidates from the party are campaigning for the reintroduction of the tiered cellar door rebate scheme, as well as putting equal excise tax on all alcohol producers including hemp distillers. Legalise Cannabis WA’s top Upper House candidate Jason Meotti said the event was “well-attended” and both proposals were well-received on the night. Mr Meotti recently called for an equalising of excise tax for seed, grain and grape-sourced alcohol distillers. Denmark’s Cannabis Botanical Distillery founder Matt Beaton welcomed the support. “Local distillers just want a level playing field to compete both internationally and domestically,” he said. “Plus, the economic benefits flowing from reinstating a tiered cellar door rebate would be significant and bring desperately needed jobs and growth to the regions.” Limeburners Distilling founder Cameron Syme said a tiered cellar door rebate would rebalance the system and give the local industry a fair go. Margaret River-based Upper House candidate Melissa D’Ath agreed, saying the changes would also boost the local hemp distilling industry. “We have a hemp distilling industry ready to take off and they just need a level playing field when it comes to excise and some assistance offsetting the wine equalisation tax at the cellar door,” she said. Legislative Council member and Legalise Cannabis WA Party leader Dr Brian Walker said dual measures would help bolster an industry still grappling with the ripple effects of COVID-19. “Bankruptcies in the sector are at record highs and this common-sense solution will create jobs and give smaller producers a chance to consolidate and grow”, he said.

Legalise Cannabis WA Party brings WA distillery owners to Denmark to find paths to a fairer alcohol industry

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