How to Get a Cannabis Licence in Manitoba (2026)

Yes, you can get a cannabis licence in Manitoba right now. As of October 2026, Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries (MBLL) reviews applications from new retailers in the order it receives them, and the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) issues the store licence once MBLL signs a retailer agreement with you. Growing or processing cannabis needs a separate federal licence from Health Canada.

Manitoba uses a hybrid model. Private businesses run every cannabis store, but MBLL is the only wholesaler, so every store buys its products through MBLL. The LGCA licenses and inspects stores, distributors and delivery services. Your municipality or First Nation decides where stores can go, and a local vote can ban them altogether.

This guide covers every licence a Manitoba cannabis business might need, what it costs, how the two-agency process works and what you have to do after you open. We checked each point against LGCA, MBLL, Manitoba government and Health Canada sources in October 2026.

Key takeaways

Manitoba’s retail market is open to new applicants, but you start with Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, not the licensing authority.
You need both a signed retailer agreement and an LGCA licence before you can order stock or open.
Every store buys cannabis through Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries; growers and processors need a federal licence first.
One owner can only hold a limited share of the province’s stores, and some towns have voted to keep cannabis stores out.
Rules differ by province and change often. Confirm the current requirements with the LGCA before you sign a lease.

Who regulates cannabis businesses in Manitoba?

Two provincial agencies share the job, with the federal government and your municipality on either side.

MBLL: wholesaler and gatekeeper

Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries is the exclusive wholesaler of non-medical cannabis in the province. It also runs the Retail Cannabis Framework, which is where new retailers apply. MBLL decides whether to offer you a Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement, lists products from licensed producers, and approves the private distributors that move product into Manitoba.

LGCA: licensing and enforcement

The LGCA licenses retail stores, cannabis distributors and delivery businesses under The Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Control Act, the Cannabis Regulation (M.R. 120/2018) and its own terms and conditions. It runs background investigations, approves security plans, inspects stores and enforces the rules.

Health Canada: production and medical sales

Under the federal Cannabis Act, Health Canada licenses cultivation, processing, analytical testing, research and sale for medical purposes. You apply through its Cannabis Tracking and Licensing System (CTLS). Medical cannabis is sold by federally licensed sellers, not by provincial stores.

Municipalities and First Nations

Local governments control zoning and business permits, and Manitoba law lets communities ban cannabis stores through a plebiscite. More on that below.

Cannabis licence types in Manitoba

The table lists every provincial and federal licence a Manitoba cannabis business might need, with fees as published in October 2026. LGCA application fees are non-refundable and due with your forms. MBLL’s own retailer application doesn’t list a fee.

Licence type	What it lets you do	Application fee	Annual or renewal fee
Retail cannabis licence, age-restricted store (LGCA)	Run a standalone store that no one under 19 may enter	$500 non-refundable	$1,000 annual licence fee
Retail cannabis licence, controlled-access store (LGCA)	Sell cannabis out of sight inside a larger store; no new licences in municipalities of more than 5,000 people since June 3, 2025	$500 non-refundable	$1,000 annual licence fee
Cannabis Store Retailer Agreement (MBLL)	Buy cannabis from MBLL for resale; required before the LGCA will issue a retail licence	Not published; ask MBLL	Not published; ask MBLL
Temporary location authorization (LGCA)	Run an existing licence at an extra or different site for a set period	Not published; ask LGCA	Not applicable
Employee delivery (LGCA terms and conditions)	Deliver your store’s orders with your own staff	Not published; ask LGCA	Not published; ask LGCA
Delivery licence (LGCA)	Deliver for licensed retailers as a third-party service, without selling or stocking cannabis	$500 non-refundable	$500 annual fee
Cannabis distributor licence (LGCA)	Buy, store and deliver cannabis to stores as directed by MBLL, after MBLL approves you	$500 non-refundable	Not published; ask LGCA
Micro-cultivation, micro-processing or nursery (Health Canada)	Grow, process or propagate on a small scale	$2,058 screening fee	Higher of $2,500 or 1% of revenue up to $1 million, plus 2.3% above that
Standard cultivation or standard processing (Health Canada)	Grow or process at commercial scale and sell to MBLL under a supply agreement	$4,109 screening fee	Higher of $23,000 or 2.3% of revenue
Sale for medical purposes (Health Canada)	Sell cannabis to registered medical clients	$4,109 screening fee (lower micro rate if combined with a micro or nursery licence)	Same as standard, with a possible exemption for medical-only sales
Federal security clearance (Health Canada)	Required for each key person on a federal licence	$2,076 per person	Not applicable
Analytical testing or research (Health Canada)	Test cannabis for licensed producers, or study cannabis	Not published on Health Canada’s fee pages; ask Health Canada	Not published; ask Health Canada
Private wholesale, farm-gate store or consumption lounge	Not available; MBLL is the only wholesaler, and no farm-gate or lounge class exists	Not applicable	Not applicable
Municipal permits	Zoning approval, occupancy permit and any local business licence	Varies; ask your municipality	Varies; ask your municipality

Health Canada’s screening and clearance amounts took effect April 1, 2026, and rise with inflation each April. Manitoba once charged retailers a social responsibility fee on sales; the legislature repealed it in 2023, according to MJBizDaily. For a wider comparison, see our guide to dispensary licence costs.

Are cannabis licences open in Manitoba right now?

Yes. As of October 2026, MBLL’s Become a Cannabis Retailer page accepts online applications and reviews them for completeness in the order received. There’s no lottery or fixed window. Manitoba opened the process to all prospective retailers on June 1, 2020, after earlier rounds picked retailers through requests for proposals.

Ownership cap: No person or related group may directly or indirectly own or control more than 15% of Manitoba’s cannabis stores, and a stake of 10% or more in a location counts as ownership.
One location at a time: Each application covers one store. An application listing several locations will be denied.
Controlled-access limits: Since a 2025 change to the Act, new controlled-access stores are only possible in smaller communities, as the table shows.
Buying an existing store: The buyer must get its own MBLL agreement and LGCA licence before taking ownership, and the LGCA must hear about the sale at least 10 business days before closing.

If MBLL’s online form ever shows a pause or closed notice, follow that over this guide and call MBLL to confirm.

How to get a cannabis licence in Manitoba, step by step

The graphic shows the usual order for a new store. MBLL and the LGCA work on your file at the same time once MBLL decides to proceed.

Eight-step flow for opening a Manitoba cannabis store, from checking local rules and registering the business to the MBLL application, retailer agreement, LGCA licensing and background checks, security plan, staff certification and opening day — The usual order of steps for a new Manitoba cannabis store. Source: MBLL, Become a Cannabis Retailer, and LGCA, Retail Licences.

Producers take a different route. Get your federal licence from Health Canada, then sign a supply agreement with MBLL and ship through one of MBLL’s authorized distributors. As of April 1, 2026, MBLL had trimmed that list to three companies, according to StratCann.

Requirements you’ll need to meet

Ownership and business registration

Your corporation and business name must be registered with the Manitoba Companies Office. MBLL checks this, and an unregistered applicant can’t move past the first stage. Neither agency publishes an owner residency rule.

Background checks and disqualifying conduct

Owners and principals file a Commercial Personal Disclosure, and the LGCA runs a background investigation. It says past charges, bankruptcies or civil cases don’t automatically disqualify you, but incomplete or inaccurate answers can slow or sink an application. Once open, you must screen prospective employees and can’t hire anyone whose conduct is listed in your security screening policy.

Capital and inventory money

MBLL asks you to show the financial capacity to run a store. You must pay for every MBLL order in full before the product arrives, so budget for opening stock on top of build-out costs. No bond is published.

Real estate and location

You’ll need municipal zoning approval, an occupancy permit or similar confirmation, and, outside Winnipeg, sometimes a conditional use order. On First Nations land, a band council resolution or equivalent approval takes the place of municipal sign-off. Applications are denied if the community has opted out.

Security plan

The LGCA reviews your security plan before it issues a licence. The regulation calls for commercial-grade locks, a monitored alarm and continuous date- and time-stamped video of required areas, with a sign saying cameras are on. Cannabis in the sales area must be in locked cases, and storage stays locked. The LGCA’s terms require you to keep video for 120 days. Our dispensary security guide covers how to plan a system.

SOPs, insurance and workers’ compensation

MBLL asks for a certificate of insurance for the location and Workers Compensation Board registration with a letter of good standing (not required for stores on First Nations land). Write procedures for ID checks, receiving, counts and incident logs before your inspection.

Staff training

Managers, staff and security must earn Smart Choices Cannabis Retail Certification, offered through the LGCA, before they start work. Every customer and employee must be at least 19. MBLL also runs a free virtual onboarding course for new retailers.

Local approval and zoning

Under Manitoba’s 2018 retail law, a municipality can ban cannabis stores through a plebiscite started by council or by a petition signed by at least 20% of voters. If a ban passes, no store licences can be issued there, and existing ones are cancelled six months after the vote. In October 2018, six communities, including Steinbach and Winkler, voted no, according to Postmedia reporting.

Where stores are allowed, zoning is the main local tool. Since Manitoba dropped its provincial location review in 2020, Winnipeg has generally treated cannabis stores like other commercial uses, though a 2021 city report raised the idea of new limits, according to CBC News. Check the current bylaw with your city’s planning office before you sign anything.

As of October 2026, Manitoba has no cannabis social equity or priority licensing program. When the province opened its market in 2020, it said new entrants would get priority over existing retailers, and the ownership cap still limits how much large chains can grow. First Nations can host stores with band approval. Federally, Health Canada charges lower fees for micro-class licences.

Manitoba cannabis market at a glance

250active retail cannabis licences in Manitoba as of March 31, 2026 (LGCA Annual Report 2025-26)

27new retail cannabis licences approved in the 2025-26 fiscal year (LGCA Annual Report 2025-26)

1,120LGCA inspections of cannabis retailers in 2025-26 (LGCA Annual Report 2025-26)

1,638people earned Smart Choices retail cannabis certification in 2025-26 (LGCA Annual Report 2025-26)

New stores keep opening each year, so study the competition near your site and expect regular visits from inspectors once you’re running.

After you’re licensed: staying compliant

Renewal: The LGCA contacts you before your annual fee is due and before renewal.
Reporting and tracking: Upload monthly inventory data to the LGCA’s portal, separate from your monthly federal compliance report. Keep sales and inventory records for two years and staff and storage-access logs for one year. Our seed-to-sale tracking guide explains how this data feeds the federal system.
Inspections and audits: The LGCA inspects stores, audits inventory reports and sends underage test shoppers. MBLL may also visit and holds quarterly calls with retailers.
Sales rules: No sales between midnight and 8 a.m. Each sale or delivery package is capped at 30 grams of dried cannabis or the equivalent, and anyone who looks under 19 must show ID before entering.
Changes: Get approval before transferring 10% or more of shares, ask at least 10 days ahead, and give written notice before changing your floor plan.
Advertising: Ads must meet the federal Cannabis Act and the Canadian Code of Advertising Standards, and your website must show your licence number.

Breaking the rules is costly: an individual convicted under the Act faces a fine of up to $100,000. Use our dispensary compliance checklist for daily routines and our budtender training requirements guide when you hire.

Your Manitoba licence checklist

Check that your municipality or First Nation hasn’t voted to ban cannabis stores.
Confirm zoning and any conditional use process with the planning office.
Register your corporation and business name with the Manitoba Companies Office.
Make sure your ownership stays under the provincial cap, counting related parties.
Apply to MBLL online, one location per application.
Gather disclosure forms and financial records for the LGCA background investigation.
Write your security plan and get alarm, camera and lock quotes.
Get insurance and Workers Compensation Board registration in place.
Sign the retailer agreement and pay your LGCA licence fee.
Certify every manager, staff member and guard through Smart Choices.
Complete MBLL onboarding and set up ordering and monthly reporting.
Pass inspection, receive your licence, then place your first order.

For new cannabis businesses: get found on WhereLeaf

Once your licence is issued and your doors are open, add your store to WhereLeaf so adults searching our dispensary finder can see your hours, location and menu. You can compare our listing packages if you want more visibility, and find fixture, security and POS vendors in our supplier directory. A listing helps shoppers find you; it isn’t a substitute for following the LGCA’s and federal advertising rules.

Comparing markets? See all our cannabis license guides by state and province.

Frequently asked questions

How much does it cost to open a cannabis store in Manitoba?

Licence fees are in the table above and are small next to your other costs. MBLL advises budgeting about $75,000 to $100,000 for opening inventory for a store in Winnipeg, or about $25,000 to $50,000 elsewhere, on top of lease, build-out, security and wages.

How long does it take to get a Manitoba cannabis licence?

MBLL says qualified applicants should expect roughly two to four months once the retailer agreement and licensing stage begins. Background checks, complex ownership, missing documents, outstanding municipal permits or a failed inspection can add time.

Can I deliver cannabis in Manitoba?

Yes. A licensed store can deliver with its own employees under the LGCA’s terms, or hire a company with an LGCA delivery licence. A delivery company can’t take orders or payments for the store; the retailer handles all cannabis payments. Our guide to starting a cannabis delivery business covers the business side.

Do I need to live in Manitoba to open a cannabis store?

Neither MBLL nor the LGCA publishes a residency rule. You do need a business registered in Manitoba, and everyone with control of it must pass the LGCA’s background investigation.

Can I open a cannabis store inside my existing shop?

Only in smaller communities. A controlled-access licence lets cannabis be sold out of view inside a larger store, but new ones aren’t allowed in larger urban municipalities. Cannabis and alcohol also can’t be sold together in Manitoba.

Can a licensed producer sell directly to Manitoba stores?

Not on its own terms. Producers sell to MBLL under a supply agreement, and product reaches stores through an MBLL-authorized distributor. Suppliers must tell MBLL at least 15 days before changing distribution partners.

This guide is general information, not legal advice. Rules and fees change, so confirm everything with the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba (LGCA) and Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries before you apply.

Sources

Last updated: October 2026. Laws and prices change; always check your state or provincial regulator.