The Seattle City Council has decided to shut down the medical marijuana business by July 2016. The decision was taken as part of a new licensing plan proposed by Mayor Ed Murray, which was unanimously approved by the council. The medical marijuana businesses that opened on or after January 1, 2013, will be affected by this decision.

Seattle will allow City Hall to revoke city business licenses for pot shops that don’t have a state license. A new city license will be issued for state-licensed pot businesses by July 2016. All medical marijuana businesses that opened post 2013, can continue till the new law takes effect. the move is aimed at stall the uncontrolled growth of the pot industry in Seattle.

City Attorney Pete Holmes revealed that some of the new business owners haven’t obtained basic city business licenses and some sell to non-patients, which is a clear violation of law. Only less than a week ago, there was massive crackdown on 15 dispensaries in some counties. All those dispensaries were found to be unregulated medical marijuana shops.

Seattle City was initially allocated 21 retail store licenses by Washington state. By July next, the city may get an additional of 20-30 retail licenses.