Liquor outlets could be in grocery stores by next spring
The Manitoba Liquor Control Commission has issued a request for proposals to grocers interested in having liquor outlets in their stores, reported the Winnipeg Free Press.

“We’re looking to add convenience to areas that are underserviced [by MLCC stores] now,” Diana Soroka, spokeswoman for the MLCC, told the Free Press.
“Areas in the northeast and southwest parts of the city have grown significantly in the last couple of years. Instead of opening a full-service location there, we’re going to try the ‘store-within-a-store’ concept.”

Unlike the floral outlets or coffee shops that have been popular in grocery stores in Manitoba, the liquor outlets would be completely separated. Soroka explained that they would be smaller than traditional MLCC stores but would offer a selection of wine, spirits and beer.

Downtown shopkeepers fed up with crime
Following an incident at a coffee shop in the 400 block of Graham Ave. early Saturday on Nov. 5, owners are speaking out against downtown crime, according to CBC Manitoba.

“I’m concerned about the people downtown, the business downtown,” Voula Limberatos, owner of Alexis’ Grill on Graham Avenue told CBC News. She pointed out that her place has been broken into several times in the past.
“You try to make a living, you come downtown and you’re scared.”

Nikki Goltsman, owner of Eyesite Optical located across from the coffee shop, told CBC that she felt more police patrols in the late evening were needed.

Grow your own medical marijuana workshop hosted at U of W
Winnipeggers interested in growing their own medical marijuana last weekend were in luck.

Don Schultz, founder of the B.C.-based Greenline Academy, hosted a workshop at the University of Winnipeg for those looking to grow medical marijuana, according to the Winnipeg Sun. The workshop topics ranged from how to get a permit to grow to how the grow the best bud.

“We go through everything that people need to get an interview with Health Canada, and we even have physicians we can recommend people to go to, which is also a real plus because it can be difficult for patients to find doctors,” he told the Sun.

Approximately 100 participants registered for the event. Schultz, who has researched the use of medical marijuana in Canada, stressed that the workshop was not for recreational use of the drug but for those who have sincere interest in growing legal medical weed.

“We like to see that people do it the compliant way,” Schultz said. “We want a good image for marijuana as a medicine to help people.