Our Mission

Austria Needs a Cannabis Law

We demand scientific evidence, fairness, and legal certainty in all matters concerning cannabis in Austria.

500+ Specialty Shops
1,500+ Secure Jobs
€500M Sector Turnover
-€66.9M Threatened Tax Deficit

Our Core Demands for Austria

The ÖCB advocates for a modern, fair, and science-based cannabis policy with clear proposals.

1. Coexistence Model

Fair partnership instead of forced expropriation. CBD specialty stores and tobacconists should coexist and sell legally on equal terms.

2. 1% THC Limit

Adjustment to modern EU standards (as in Switzerland and the Czech Republic) to offer high-quality, natural flowers without chemical post-processing.

3. Medical Cannabis

Distribution of active-rich cannabis flowers on insurance prescription via pharmacies, allowing patients an organic, affordable therapy.

4. Real Cannabis Act

Creation of a modern, transparent legal framework for cultivation, quality control, youth protection, and a fair Cannabis Tax Act.

Comparison: Where Do CBD Flowers Belong?

Sensible health-related handling of CBD natural products requires specialist advice and strict quality standards.

CBD Specialty Shop

Therapeutic Expert Advice

Trained staff provides individual advice on cannabinoids, terpenes, methods of ingestion, and the entourage effect.

Consistent Quality Control

Independent laboratory tests (COA) and detailed certificates guarantee purity and freedom from contaminants.

Scent Samples & Diversity

Customers can inspect terpene profiles on-site to find the exact variety that helps alleviate their complaints.

Tobacco Tobacconist (Kiosk)

No Guidance on Effects

Tobacconists are designed for fast mass sales. Staff lacks medical or cannabis-related product knowledge.

Sales of Mass Merchandise

Focus lies on standardized, industrial cheap products rather than ethically grown, regional premium hemp.

Pure Tobacco & Genuss Focus

CBD flowers are incorrectly positioned as pure smoking tobacco replacement products, contradicting their wellness character.

ÖCB Statements & Analyses

All >
Open Letter

To the Federal Government

Subject: CBD: Monopoly destroys diversity – Austria loses jobs and millions in taxes! Dear Ladies and Gentlemen, the ÖCB represents the interests of around 500 companies...

Read Open Letter >
Technical Analysis

Why CBD flowers do not belong in tobacconists

The plan to subject CBD flowers to the tobacco monopoly lacks any factual basis. CBD flowers are not a luxury poison like tobacco, but valuable therapeutic and wellness products...

Read Analysis >

The ÖCB in the Media

Mirror >
Die Presse 19.11.2025

Hemp products only in tobacconists: Association will go to VfGH

The Austrian Cannabis Association is legally challenging the planned tobacco monopoly for CBD before the Constitutional Court. Klaus Hübner warns of the death blow to the industry.

Read Original Article >
ORF.at 19.11.2025

Hemp: Association sees "trade ban" in government schemes

The ÖCB announces a VfGH complaint. Placing legal hemp under the tobacco monopoly is an inexplicable discrimination and endangers 1,500 jobs.

Read Original Article >
Vienna.at 09.04.2026

Success: Federal Fiscal Court rules customs seizure illegal

The Federal Fiscal Court agrees with the ÖCB: The seizure of hemp flowers was illegal. Cannabis is not tobacco and does not fall under the tobacco monopoly.

Read Original Article >
Fiscal Analysis

The Planned Fiscal Deficit for the Republic

The planned monopolization is intended to secure taxes but does the exact opposite: by destroying specialty retail, the legal CBD market shrinks dramatically. Tax revenues fall, while significant social costs for unemployment benefits and retraining arise.

The result is a devastating annual net deficit for the Austrian state budget.

View Full Calculations >
Previous VAT Revenues €80.0M / Year
100% Revenues
Expected Tobacco Tax via Kiosks €40.8M / Year
-€39.2M Loss
Additional Unemployment Costs €27.75M (One-off)
Social Costs
-€66.95M
Total Net Deficit in Year 1

LGP

Legal Partner

Lansky, Ganzger, Goeth + Partner is one of the leading commercial law firms in Europe.

LGP as Legal Partner

The ÖCB is actively represented by the renowned Vienna-based law firm Lansky, Ganzger, Goeth + Partner (LGP). LGP is one of the leading commercial law firms in Europe.

The multidisciplinary team led by Dr. Gabriel Lansky combines deep legal expertise with strategic foresight – a decisive advantage in the fight against the CBD monopoly, which contradicts both national and European legal principles. The firm has already successfully intervened in politically sensitive cases at the EU level and is now bringing this experience to our industry.

  • Comprehensive expertise in EU law, corporate law, and tax litigation
  • Decades of experience in constitutional and administrative litigation
  • One of the largest internationally oriented law firms in Central Europe
Further info about the firm: www.lansky.at >

Become Part of the ÖCB Movement

Support our work and join us to shape a strong common voice for a sensible, economically sound, and health-responsible cannabis policy in Austria.

Our Team

The elected board and leadership of the Austrian Cannabis Association.

Mag. Klaus Hübner

Chairman obmann@oecbverband.at

Lukas Bock

Treasurer & Deputy Chairman kassier@oecbverband.at

Julia Geiß

Secretary schriftfuehrer@oecbverband.at

Benjamin Wörgetter

Deputy Treasurer vizekassier@oecbverband.at

Michele di Modugno

Deputy Secretary vizeschriftfuehrer@oecbverband.at