Letters went out last week to the owners of 15 unlicensed marijuana businesses in the unincorporated areas of King County, informing them that they must close down because they do not have state-approved licenses to sell pot.

King County Prosecuting Attorney Dan Satterberg and King County Sheriff John Urquhart announced the crack down on July 8.

“Unlicensed marijuana establishments have had ample time to come to grips with the passage of I-502,” said Urquhart. “The citizens of Washington State voted in 2012 for a legalized and regulated marijuana system. With our actions today and going forward, we honor the will of the voters.”

Among the 15 unlicensed marijuana businesses, two have Auburn addresses:

• Evergreen Canna Club (E.C.C) at 33301 Kent-Black Diamond Road SE, and

• Military Road Holistic, 34049 Military Road S.

Initiative 502, which voters approved in 2012, requires that the state create a system for the licensed production, processing and retail distribution of marijuana, with no such requirement for medical need.

The State Legislature recently adopted amendments to I-502 that bring medical marijuana into the state licensing system and eliminate “collective gardens.”

Sales outside of the state licensed retail operations are illegal.

“These stores are illegal. They are unlicensed, untaxed, and they are undermining Washington State’s new law. How local jurisdictions deal with this issue may well determine the success of the entire law,” Satterberg said.

Operators of unlicensed marijuana establishments who aren’t in compliance with the law may be subject to potential civil forfeiture, product seizure and criminal liability.

“Our primary role is licensing and regulation,” said Russ Hauge of the Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board. “The best control is a healthy market. We are concerned with creating a system that allows legitimate medical patients access to the products they need, that it’s tested and clean, and that licensees are in compliance with the law.”