We may soon know what company will be the first to legally sell cannabis in Flin Flon.
The selection process for communities in Manitoba’s second phase of cannabis retail approval – which includes Flin Flon – is set to take place on May 15.
Over 100 applicants have applied to open a cannabis retail location within the seven communities named in the second phase of the Manitoba rollout. The selection process will include a random draw, after which applicants can reach agreements and licensing. In case the first retailer is unwilling or unable to open operations in the community where they’ve been selected, a second ballot will be drawn as a safety net.
Companies that receive the rights to sell retail cannabis will be announced following the draw on May 15.
Meanwhile, three companies licensed to operate cannabis retail locations elsewhere in Manitoba have revealed small aspects of their plans for the Flin Flon area after the community was mentioned in the second round of provincial permitting.
Meta Cannabis Supply Co. stated they planned to “make an announcement over social media” in the near future. Meta did not confirm or deny if the statement meant the company would, in fact, be pursuing an operation in Flin Flon. Meta owns and operates the nearest cannabis retail outlet to Flin Flon located in the Otineka Mall on Opaskwayak Cree Nation.
Meanwhile, Canopy Growth, another of the companies initially licensed to operate cannabis retail locations in Manitoba after legalization last fall, did not confirm details regarding a potential Flin Flon operation.
“We are actively pursuing additional retail locations across Canada and Manitoba,” read a statement from a Canopy Growth spokesperson.
Earlier this month, a spokesperson from Delta 9 told The Reminder that the company was “looking at all opportunities including [the Flin Flon] area”.
One additional company, Tokyo Smoke, has not replied to a request for comment from The Reminder.
Last year, the city of Flin Flon authorized zoning the uptown business area for cannabis retail sales. Any Flin Flon-area cannabis users have had to either buy in locations like Prince Albert, The Pas, Thompson and Winnipeg or purchase cannabis online.
The Manitoba government has announced intentions for 90 per cent of Manitobans to be able to access legal cannabis within a 30-minute drive by October 2021.
