Legalization & Regulations

The Manitoba government has a private sector retail model, with regulation through the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority (LGCA) and wholesale distribution through Manitoba Liquor and Lotteries Corporation (MBLL). While the MBLL holds the authority for wholesale and takes orders through its portal, cannabis is shipped directly by licensed producers or through a licensed third-party distributor. The province is also open to private retailers selling online, and has set a goal of making cannabis accessible within a 30-minute drive for about 90% of the population.

Manitoba’s framework for retail cannabis has consisted of three phases.

• In 2017, the Province of Manitoba conducted a request for proposals for retail cannabis stores and conditionally accepted four proposals from the submissions.
• Further expansion occurred in 2018 when the Province of Manitoba conducted pre-qualifications seeking potential retailers interested in operating retail cannabis stores in Manitoba.
• On May 22, 2020, the third phase of Manitoba’s retail cannabis framework was announced by the Province of Manitoba. Starting on June 1, 2020, businesses could apply to Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries for a cannabis store retailer agreement, allowing them to establish a store in any Manitoba community that allows the retail sale of cannabis.

In 2023, MBLL announced that they were seeking applicants for a cannabis distribution license which permits companies to source cannabis from licensed producers and distribute it to authorized retailers in Manitoba. In February 2024, MBLL announced that five private cannabis distributors have successfully received licenses.

Manitoba Cannabis Market Stats

As of February 2026, the LGCA has licensed 243 stores with nearly 60% of them located in Winnipeg.

As of February 2026, there were 23 federal license holders, including licenses authorizing cultivation, processing, micro cultivation, micro processing, and sale to medical cannabis patients.

Data collected by Statistics Canada show that retail sales in Manitoba totaled $100 million in 2020 compared to a little over $60 million in 2019. Total sales reached $148.3 million in 2021, $181.5 million in 2022, $200.9 million in 2023 and $226.8 in 2024 peaking in December at $22.6 million. Sales for 2025 were estimated to be worth more than $265 million.

According to the 2024-2025 Annual Report from Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries, cannabis has become the corporation’s primary engine for growth. Revenue from cannabis operations from FY 2024 to FY 2025 rose by nearly 11% ($16.5 million), outpacing the absolute dollar growth of both liquor ($14.3 million increase) and casino sectors ($11 million increase). This shows that while liquor remains the largest revenue source, cannabis is not the most significant contributor to year-over-year revenue expansion.

Non-medical cannabis consumers in Manitoba appear to have a stronger preference for cannabis edible products than nationally, with 60.9% of them reporting that they have consumed cannabis edibles in the past 12 months compared to 56% reported nationally, according to the 2024 Canadian Cannabis Survey. Similarly to other provinces, dried flower remains the most preferred product form with 65.1% reporting having consumed it in the past 12 months.

Source: cannabusinessplans.ca

Manitoba Cannabis Market Infographics

How Can Cannabusinessplans Templates Help Start or Grow Your Cannabis Business?

The majority of cannabis licensing programs require the submission of a business plan as part of the application for a cannabis license. Even if it is not mandated by law, a business plan is essential for securing funding and assisting an applicant in understanding how much money it will take to start a cannabis business and how much profit it could make.

A well-structured business plan can make all the difference in helping you demonstrate your proposed cannabis business’ compliance with regulations and its operational viability.

Our complete cannabis business plan template package is everything you need to create a professional business plan for a cannabis business with expert financials and projections. A complete cannabis business plan template package includes:

• Excel Financial Model: change variables and immediately see the impact, break down operational and capital costs, know how much it will take to get into the business and the potential profits.
• Word Business Plan: value proposition, market analysis, marketing strategy, operating plan, organizational structure, financial plan and more.
• PowerPoint Pitch Deck: provide a quick overview of your cannabis business plan.

Cannabis Micro Cultivation Business Plan Sample, Manitoba

Cannabis business plan templates for Canada are also available at cannabusinessplans.ca.