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Cannabis Culture issued 50 layoff notices to staff on Tuesday as it prepares to close its three unlicensed marijuana stores by the end of the month.

“It’s been a terrible day,” said Jodie Emery, who owns the Cannabis Culture brand and stores. “Unfortunately, we have to close three of our Cannabis Culture locations in the city. There were lots of tears and it’s been very difficult.”

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The Cannabis Culture flagship store, which operates as a bong shop and vapour lounge at 307 West Hastings St., will remain open.

Photo by Gerry Kahrmann / PNG

The three locations that will close are at 3175 West Broadway, 1674 Davie Street and 3421 East Hastings Street.

Emery said her legal team had been in ongoing negotiations with the City of Vancouver’s lawyers.

“The city is saying that they are going to use every means at their disposal, including jail time, arrests and fines and that was reiterated today,” Emery said.

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The noose has been tightening around Vancouver’s remaining 28 illegal marijuana shops since last month, when the B.C. Supreme Court ruled in favour of the city in its efforts to have those stores close.