The province's plan to open cannabis outlets in rural Manitoba has taken another step forward. 

Through a random draw, approved retailers have now been selected for the seven communities, also chosen at random back in March. 

Westleaf Inc. has been picked to operate a potential location in Altona, with a numbered corporation selected as the stand-by.

Additional selections are as follows:

•    Flin Flon:    – Selected retailer:  10552763 Canada Corporation (Garden Variety)    – Standby retailer:  Auxly Cannabis Group Inc.

•    Lac du Bonnet:    – Selected retailer:  The Viscount Gort Motor Hotel Ltd.    – Standby retailer:  Matzelle Holdings Ltd.

•    Niverville:    – Selected retailer:  Canna Cabana Inc.    – Standby retailer:  Red River Cooperative Ltd.

•    Municipality of Russell-Binscarth:    – Selected retailer:  2296476 Ontario Inc. (The Corktown Cannabis Company)    – Standby retailer:  5403651 Manitoba Ltd. (Yale Hotel)

•    Swan River:    – Selected retailer:  Fire & Flower Inc.    – Standby retailer:  Westcoast Sunset Holdings Corporation

•    Virden:    – Selected retailer:  3381102 Manitoba Ltd. (Northern Hotel)    – Standby retailer:  10022915 Manitoba.

Winning retailers have 10 days from Thursday, May 16 to confirm whether or not they are interested in moving ahead before the opportunity is passed on to the secondary selection. Once confirmed, retailers will enter into written agreements with the province and can then begin the process of opening their stores, including securing the necessary permits from the respective communities.

The retail stores will operate under the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority.