22-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Local cannabis growers decry ‘unfair landscape'
Growing cannabis commercially is a venture Cynthia Fortin dove into with her husband after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Two years into selling, she's frustrated — and she's formed a fledgling association calling for government action.
'(It's an) unfair landscape,' said Fortin, president of the three-month-old Manitoba Cannabis Growers Association.
Her Steinbach-based company, 410 Farms, is one of three businesses involved in the MCGA.
The association has issued a list of requests, including policy changes and consultation meetings with provincial leadership.
'Manitoba cannabis growers are struggling,' Fortin said. 'It is incredibly tough to get a foot in the door, even into the smaller retailers — never mind the big chains that have their own brands.'
Canada legalized cannabis in 2018. Since then, the commercial industry has ballooned: Manitoba counts at least 230 shops; 73 opened between April 1, 2023, and June 30, 2025.
The province doesn't cap how many licences it issues to weed stores. As a result, competitors have sprouted close to one another. For example, three shops are within 600 metres of each other along Roblin Boulevard in Winnipeg.
Generally, shops are seeking the cheapest products, which makes pricing extra competitive on the growers' side, Fortin and her husband Bob relayed.
Roughly 30 retailers carry 410 Farms products. The business makes about 13 different items and harvests between 1,800 and 2,200 plants. Bigger entities can manufacture for a cheaper price per good, Bob Fortin asserted.
'We just can't compete, because our products are a little more craft,' he said. 'We don't do the same volume as they do.'
In its list, the association underscored a desire for changes to product labelling, government procurement policies and local taxes.
Highlighting Manitoba-grown cannabis — to both retailers and end customers — could generate interest, especially given a politically-charged 'buy local' movement, Cynthia Fortin said.
It's already being done in Ontario for local growers, noted Jesse Lavoie, founder of TobaGrown. He oversees 1,000 plants in Manitoba.
'We would love the opportunity to put a 'Grown in Manitoba' badge on that product,' said Lavoie, who isn't part of the Manitoba Cannabis Growers Association.
Twelve of more than 150 current cannabis suppliers are identified as Manitoban to retailers, per Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries Corp., the entity that wholesales cannabis in the province. Twenty-four businesses are licensed and can act as cannabis suppliers in Manitoba, but some aren't actively in operation.
Local suppliers' products account for roughly 20 per cent of catalogue listings, an MLL spokesperson wrote in a statement.
'In the last year, all but two of 233 local cannabis retailers ordered products from Manitoba suppliers,' the spokesperson continued, adding local products were in more than 99 per cent of Manitoba cannabis retailers.
But allowing companies who grow outside Manitoba to sell in the province without limit is hindering local growers' success, as is banning growers' sales online, Cynthia Fortin argued.
The association is calling for a repeal of MLL's 11 per cent markup on wholesale cannabis. Growers also pay a federal excise tax of $1 per gram.
The Fortins said they've sent a formal request to speak to members of the provincial government.
'I would be happy to meet with members of the MCGA and listen to their concerns,' Glen Simard, minister responsible for MLL, wrote in a statement.
Simard said he's 'grateful' for the feedback and encourages the association to 'cultivate relationships with retailers, promote the value of their products, and create the inventory necessary to establish a regular presence in Manitoba cannabis stores.'
Manitoba Liquor & Lotteries saw $153.6 million in cannabis operation revenue last year, its latest annual report shows. To sell online, growers would need a retailer licence issued by the Liquor, Gaming and Cannabis Authority of Manitoba, an MLL spokesperson wrote.
The wholesale cannabis markup — which is on the 'low end' of the rate across Canada — is made available to Manitoba-based suppliers' peers in other provinces, the spokesperson continued. The cash is funnelled into social responsibility and law enforcement programs.
Gabrielle PichéReporter
Gabrielle Piché reports on business for the Free Press. She interned at the Free Press and worked for its sister outlet, Canstar Community News, before entering the business beat in 2021. Read more about Gabrielle.
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