There are four (4) steps involved in the application and licensing process. The time required to process an application varies among applications; however, if an Applicant qualifies for Step 2, Applicants should expect an approximate processing time of two (2) to four (4) months. Applications will be processed concurrently, subject to volume and resources. MBLL, or LGCA, may request additional information at any time as required.
Step 1: Application Process
Applicants participating in Step 1 will solely be working with MBLL during this step.
Applicants will be required to submit their application details through mbllpartners.ca under the Become a Cannabis Retailer page (mbllpartners.ca/cannabis-partners/become-cannabis-retailer).
Note – any field on the application form shown with an asterisk (*) is mandatory information and must be submitted with the application. Failure to complete these fields shown with an asterisk will result in an application being denied.
See definitions below for clarity on how to complete the application form.
Part A
Applicant Information
Full legal name of individual or entity submitting application (“Applicant”) *
If the Applicant is an individual, provide the individual’s full legal name. If the Applicant is an entity, provide the entity’s registered name/number on file with the Manitoba Companies Office. Note: MBLL will conduct a Manitoba Companies Office search of the entity to confirm that it is registered to carry on business in Manitoba. If the entity is not so registered, the application will be denied.
Usual business name of Applicant (if known)
This is the business name that you intend to call your Cannabis store. This information may not be decided on yet and is not mandatory to fill out. If the intended business name is not already registered in Manitoba, such registration will be required in Step 2.
Full mailing address and telephone number of Applicant*
This is the mailing address and telephone number for the Applicant.
Full retail location address (if known)
If you already have a secured location for your Cannabis store, indicate that address in full. Please ensure the address matches what is on file with Canada Post. If you do not have a location yet, this is not mandatory to fill out.
Contact Information
Contact Person*
This is the person to be contacted throughout the application process in case of any questions, and/or requests for additional information/documents.
Title*
The position title of the Contact Person.
Address, Telephone Number, and Email*
The contact information for the Contact Person.
Part B
Type of location*
o Existing location: Secured and ready to renovate or in a ready state
o Identified location: Location identified but not yet secured (no lease/purchase in place)
o Searching for a location: Unidentified location
Are you looking to open a Cannabis store*
o Within the City of Winnipeg: any location for which the City of Winnipeg would issue a building and occupancy permit
o Outside the City of Winnipeg: any location outside the City of Winnipeg, for which the applicable municipality or First Nation would issue a Conditional Use Order, band council resolution or similar approval document from the municipality or First Nation approving a Cannabis store to be located within the city/town/First Nation.
Type of Licence*
o Age-Restricted Licence - reserved for a standalone location; no persons under the age of 19 may enter or view the interior of the store (i.e. Bricks and Mortar)
o Controlled-Access Licence – reserved for a location within a core business; persons under the age of 19 may enter the core business (i.e. a store within a store – enclosed within an existing store, or convenience where the product is stored out of the view of customers)
Do you have municipal/First Nation approval for your location (proof will be required in Step 2)*
o Within the City of Winnipeg, a copy of the occupancy permit, or confirmation of occupancy will be required.
o Outside the City of Winnipeg, a copy of the occupancy permit, or confirmation of occupancy, or Conditional Use Order document or another similar approving document from the municipality approving a Cannabis store to be located within the city/town.
o First Nations land, a copy of the band council resolution approving a Cannabis store to be located within the First Nation will be requested.
Note – MBLL will not approve an application if the municipality has opted out of having a Cannabis store.
Do you have financial capacity to support owning and operating a Cannabis store*
For the purposes of this application:
o If planning to open a Cannabis store within the City of Winnipeg (with an Age-Restricted Licence), the Applicant should have a minimum of $75,000.00 - $100,000.00 Canadian dollars to pay (up front) for their opening inventory; additional funds will be required for subsequent ordering.
o If planning to open a Cannabis store outside the City of Winnipeg (with an Age-Restricted Licence), the Applicant should have a minimum of $25,000.00 - $50,000.00 Canadian dollars to pay (up front) for their opening inventory; additional funds will be required for subsequent ordering.
Note – The opening inventory amounts shown are estimated and are in no way a mandatory stipulation for the Applicant. It will be up to the Applicant, if granted an opportunity to open and operate a Cannabis store, to choose the appropriate amount of product(s) to open their store with. The information shown is based on historical data for Age-Restricted Licences only and is stated in order to assist the Applicant during this application process. Controlled-Access Licences are new, and no historical data is known at this time. It is assumed that Controlled-Access Licences will require less financial capacity than stated above due to location size differences compared to Age-Restricted Licence holders. All Cannabis must be purchased through MBLL and paid for ahead of receiving product(s).
Are you a current holder of an Age-Restricted Licence*
Do you currently have a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement signed by MBLL and hold an Age-Restricted Licence from LGCA?
Step 2: Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement and Licensing Process
If an Applicant successfully completes Step 1, as determined by MBLL, the Applicant will move to Step 2 and an MBLL representative and an LGCA representative will be assigned to the Applicant to start working on Step 2 requirements. These representatives will forward all applicable forms, information and documents to the Applicant.
MBLL and LGCA will work concurrently with the Applicant to complete this Step.
Step 2 MBLL Requirements Include:
• The Applicant will complete a Schedule “A” document (forms part of the Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement)
• Registration in Manitoba of the business name of the Cannabis store
• The Applicant will be required to provide a Certificate of Insurance for the store location
• The Applicant will be required to provide a Workers Compensation Board (WCB) Registration and In Good Standing Letter
• The Applicant will be required to provide store location approval - If planning to open within the City of Winnipeg, a copy of the occupancy permit, or confirmation of occupancy. If planning to open outside the City of Winnipeg, a copy of the occupancy permit, or confirmation of occupancy, or the Conditional Use Order document, or another similar approving document from the municipality approving a Cannabis store to be located within the city/town. If planning to open on First Nations land, a copy of the band council resolution approving a Cannabis store to be located within the First Nation will be requested.
• Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement for the store location duly signed by the Applicant.
LGCA Requirements
A Cannabis retailer requires a retailer Licence issued by the LGCA before opening their premises. There are a number of steps in the licensing process, including a satisfactory background review of the Applicant and its principles and inspection of the premises including surveillance and security requirements. The premises must comply with all applicable municipal zoning requirements and the Applicant must have obtained all required permits and approvals before a Licence will be issued.
Once the Applicant has satisfactorily completed all requirements within Step 2, MBLL will sign the Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement for the store location, and if the Applicant satisfies all LGCA requirements, a Licence from LGCA.
Note – the Applicant cannot engage with MBLL in ordering product(s) until both a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement has been signed by MBLL and an LGCA Licence has been issued. The Applicant may also be required to attend New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding (see Step 3) prior to ordering product(s).
Step 3: New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding
If an Applicant receives a fully executed Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement from MBLL, signed by both the Applicant (now “Retailer”) and MBLL and a Licence from LGCA, the Retailer may be required to attend New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding.
• If you are a new Manitoba Cannabis Retailer (no previous Cannabis retail location(s) in Manitoba or not an existing Licence holder), New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding is mandatory.
• If you are an existing Manitoba Cannabis Retailer who has received an additional Location(s)/Licence, New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding is optional while still encouraged.
New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding sessions may be held in person (within the City of Winnipeg) or via conference call/PowerPoint. If a Retailer decides to travel to have the onboarding session in person, neither MBLL nor the LGCA is liable for any Retailer travel expenses. All costs are strictly borne by the Retailer.
MBLL does not charge the Retailer a fee to participate in the New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding session.
New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding sessions will be organized by MBLL and will be held as required. Sessions may be held with multiple Retailers in the room/on the call.
Note – Retailers will not be able to schedule a New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding session until both a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement has been fully executed (signed by both the Retailer and MBLL) and an LGCA Licence has been issued.
Areas of coverage for the New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding session include, but are not limited to, the following:
• Who to contact at MBLL
• An overview of Cannabis in Manitoba
• The differences between MBLL and LGCA’s role with the Retailer
• Understanding the Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement
• Understanding the Cannabis Store Retailer Directives
• An overview of MBLL Suppliers and available products
• How to order Cannabis products
• How delivery works
• How receiving works
• How federal reporting (seed to sale reporting works)
• Opening inventory
• Operational next steps
After successful completion (if applicable) of the New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding session, the Retailer will be able to order product(s).
Step 4: Monitoring
After successful completion of the New Cannabis Retailer Onboarding session (if applicable), and the opening of the Retailer’s store, MBLL will schedule individual quarterly calls/follow-up emails with the Retailer to cover the following (without limitation):
• Any questions the Retailer may have;
• Compliance with the Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement (Retailer performance);
• Compliance with the Cannabis Store Retailer Directives (Retailer performance); and
• Any comments or suggestions the Retailer may have for MBLL (process improvement).
An LGCA Licence is valid only with a current, signed Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement.
Retailers are encouraged to work with MBLL and to have open communication to ensure operations run smoothly throughout the term of their Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement.