Now that a company has been approved to open a retail cannabis outlet in Altona, local municipal officials will have to determine where the store can operate.

Last week, the province revealed that Westleaf Inc. had been picked to operate a potential location in Altona. The Calgary based company now has about a week to confirm whether it will move forward with the initiative.

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.

Last year, the town developed a bylaw which deals with the use of cannabis in public places and provides some direction on where such a store can operate.

Mayor Al Friesen says if Westleaf decides to open a store, the economic development officer for SEED, Stephanie Harris, would become involved.

"SEED has been thinking about some potential locations based on some of our earlier discussions. Stephanie is creating a list of about half-a-dozen options for this particular operation and would share that with the company. If Westleaf intends to pursue it further, the matter would then go to the RPGA, the regional planning organization where the normal process would take place."

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

According to its website, Westleaf Inc., intends to open 50 cannabis retail stores by the end of 2020 and is currently building a cultivation facility located in Battleford, Saskatchewan and a processing, extraction and manufacturing centre in Calgary.