This fall, Winkler will vote on whether to allow or ban marijuana retail stores in the city.

While the federal government will make the consumption of cannabis legal this July, the public has the option of holding a plebiscite on retail sale within their communities.

However, rather than allowing businesses to open up shop only to be kicked out as a result of a vote a few months later, Winkler Mayor Martin Harder says they'd like to hear the public's opinion first.

"It isn't fair... we don't want someone to come under false pretense and establish a store... and lose your investments. We want to make sure it's clear, the investors will understand what the situation is here."

The vote will take place in conjunction with Election Day on October 24, 2018.

In the mean time, Harder notes council continues to prepare legislation to ensure the safe distribution of a retail site within the commercial retail zone with reasonable buffers from schools and youth centres.

"We rather want to do all the work upfront, we want to have it in place so people can make an informed decision," Harder says.

He notes the city has already received interest from cannabis retailers. "We explained the approximate designation as to where the site would be, which they were very happy with."

In order to obtain a business license the retail operation would be required go through the process of a conditional use hearing.