SEATTLE — Fifteen unlicensed King County marijuana shops are on notice that they are violating the law.

The King County prosecutor and sheriff announced on Wednesday that they are cracking down on these stores after Washington lawmakers amended Initiative 502 to require licenses for all pot shops. The change in the law brought medical marijuana into the state licensing system and eliminated “collective gardens.”

Prosecutor Dan Satterberg says 15 stores are not being taxed and must get a license before they can continue to sell pot.

He says if they continue to operate as unlicensed retail outlets for the black market, they’ll face civil and criminal ramifications.