"To some extent, it's inevitable." 

Altona mayor, Al Friesen

That's the reaction of Altona Mayor Al Friesen following Thursday's announcement that the town is 1 of 7 rural communities approved to house a retail cannabis shop as part of the Manitoba Government's plan to extend legal distribution of the product in the province. 

The retailers will be chosen from a list of close to 100 pre-qualified applicants who submitted proposals last year.

"The federal government said that cannabis would be legal in Canada and the provincial government set a mandate to create a number of retail centres to ensure that ninety per cent of the population would have cannabis available to them within thirty minutes of their residence, so at some point it would come to the Town of Altona," explained Friesen. 

He noted the previous town council prepared for this possibility and as a result, created a by-law outlining the approval process for those looking to set up shop including where the stores can be located and a mechanism for public feedback.

"It should be noted that just because Altona is approved it doesn't mean that a retailer wants to set up shop here," added Friesen. "When, or if that happens, we will determine how Altona residents will be able to access a legal product in their hometown and not have to drive for that."

Friesen assures residents the approval process will include a public hearing in order to allow for public feedback.

To date, no official applications have been made to council.

Other communities on the province's list are Niverville, Lac du Bonnet, Virden, Swan River, Flin Flon and the RM of Russell-Binscarth.