VANCOUVER (NEWS 1130) – BC Supreme Court judge has ordered illegal marijuana dispensaries in Vancouver to shut down.

The decision upholds injunctions filed more than two years ago against 53 operators violating rules imposed in 2016.

“That really reaffirms our role with respect to land use and business licensing,” said Chief Licensing Inspector Kathryn Holm.

She called the case is precedent-setting, “All future and current actually, existing cannabis retailers that are operating outside of our approvals are subject to injunction and court orders.”

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Holm said the remaining 28 stores will have to shut down or face fines, jail time, or both.

“It’s a lengthy document,” Holm said. “We’re reviewing it right now to understand all the details and nuances in the ruling and we will be mobilizing in short order and developing an action plan.”

More than 3,700 tickets worth close to $3-million have already been issued.

No recreational pot shops have been approved in Vancouver since the drug became legal on Oct. 17.

Since Sept. 19, city staff have received notification from the province of 14 applications to open recreational marijuana shops.

Ten applicants have been told of the next steps they need to follow in the process and the city is reviewing the remaining four applications.

-With files from the Canadian Press