Manitoba Cannabis Retail License

On June 1, 2020, the Manitoba Government officially turned to a competitive cannabis retail market, allowing more retailers to apply for retail licences. Prior to June 1, there were only 6 licensed non-medical cannabis retailers in Manitoba (Delta 9 Cannabis Store, Tweed, Meta Cannabis Supply Co., Tokyo Smoke, Garden Variety, Fire & Flower Cannabis Co.) with various locations around the province. 

Manitoba’s private retail model is structured with regulation through the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) and wholesale distribution through Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MLLC).

Those who wish to operate a cannabis retail store in Manitoba are required to successfully complete the required application process, enter into a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement with Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries (MBLL), and be issued an applicable licence from the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) of Manitoba.

Currently, there are two types of retail cannabis licences that the LGCA issues:

• Age-Restricted Store – People younger than 19 years old are prohibited from entering the store.
• Controlled-Access Store – A retailer is able to sell cannabis within a larger retailer store that sells other products as long as the cannabis products are not visible.

The LGCA conducts background investigations on all applicants as part of the licensing process. Applications will be processed based on the following criteria:

• One location, per application, per applicant processed at a time
• Applicants applying for an Age-Restricted Licence are restricted to no more than 15% of the Manitoba Cannabis retail market share based on Age-Restricted Licensed Cannabis stores in Manitoba
• Application forms must be completed in full
• Applicants must demonstrate financial capacity to support opening inventory requirements
• Applicants must identify the type of location they are applying for:

          Existing – secured and ready to renovate or in a ready state

          Identified – location identified but not yet secured (no lease/purchase in place)

          Searching – unidentified location

• Applicants must have community/municipal/band council approval
• New applicants to the market will be prioritized.

There is a $500 non-refundable application fee to apply for a Retail Cannabis Licence, and the yearly licence fee is $1,000. Furthermore, all licensed cannabis retailers must comply with the regulations and terms and conditions set by the LGCA.

Additional information on cannabis retail in Manitoba can be found here