A PARLIAMENTARY inquiry into medical cannabis has been flooded with support from Tasmanians.

About 100 submissions have been sent to an Upper House inquiry set to begin hearings within weeks.

Independent MLC Ruth Forrest said people seemed to be in favour of the economic benefits of a new industry, as well as the potential health benefits of cannabis for medical purposes.

Ms Forrest said many people were moved to write into the inquiry on compassionate grounds, arguing medical cannabis should be explored as an option for people for whom other medications had failed.

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