The tobacco meals of Austria have the green light for the sale of hemp with a low THC content. According to the Ministry of Finance, the first permits are available, on July 21 it is the start of the sale. Tobacco stores expect 50 million euros in turnover per year.
In Austria, cannabis actually counts as an illegal medicine, but an exception influences “grass” with a THC content of up to 0.3 percent. THC is the fabric that is intoxicated and “high”. Ordinary joints have a THC share of more than 20 percent.
For example, the legal CBD products in Austria must help against pain and sleep disorders. Until now, these cannabis flowers are only available without regulated CBD stores, which, according to the financial vision, have violated the Tobacco Act. Now the path is finally clear for the sale in Tabcoons.
Trafican Chairman: “Interest is high”
“The interest among the tobacco stores is high. Until now, free sale is not possible. The majority of the toilet will add the products to the range,” said transformer chairman Othmar Schwarzenbohler to the “Kroon”. Many tobacco meals have trained in recent months. Protection of minors is also the best guaranteed.
According to the Monopoly Administration, the fact that it took so long is a good reason: “Quality was more important here than speed because they are very sensitive products,” says monopolistic boss Hannes Hofer. Just like with cigarettes, there will be a defined selling prices in the future. A package with two grams is expected to be around 18 to 19 euros.
Susanne Moosmayr, wholesaler in tobacco, says to the “Krone”: “The availability is good, the start of the sale is July 21. This week the sale also starts in the toilet.” Five brands and a total of 20 to 30 products are to walk in the shelves. With the Hanfama Company, an Austrian producer from Graz already has a license.
Span is higher than with cigarettes
In the future, completely rolled cigarettes or joints can also be on the shelves under the tobacco masters. In general, the industry expects 50 million euros in annual turnover per year. It’s a good thing for the tobacco. The selling price continues to receive 50 percent of the state of tobacco and sales tax, but the rest receives 37 percent the tobacco and 63 percent.
Given the falling sale of cigarettes, so an important company, the range is also higher with a good 18 percent. The state cuts 77 percent in cigarettes.
When using the monopoly, “Death of the CBD stores”
However, the fact that Transformers are now starting selling is sobering for the CBD retailers. They fought their ban on the sale of flowers in April with an expert opinion. CBD does not fall under the tobacco monopoly. “We don’t want us to be set up on a law made for cigarettes,” says Klaus Hübner, head of the Cannabis Association. In Austria, 1,000 employees work in the industry. “If the monopoly is applied to CBD, the industry is dead until the end of the year,” warns Hübner.
The financing has carried out 90 checks in recent months. According to the Ministry, a private report has not overwritten a legal system.
Source: Krone
I’m Ben Stock, a journalist and author at Today Times Live. I specialize in economic news and have been working in the news industry for over five years. My experience spans from local journalism to international business reporting. In my career I’ve had the opportunity to interview some of the world’s leading economists and financial experts, giving me an insight into global trends that is unique among journalists.
