Photo: CTV News

Krystian Wetulani, CEO of Vancouver's City Cannabis Co.

Vancouver's first legal pot shops are open for business, more than two months after marijuana was legalized in Canada.

City Cannabis Co.'s Fraser Street location and Evergreen Cannabis Society in Kitsilano have opened their doors.

Both companies had to jump through extensive regulatory hoops, even as illegal retailers continue to operate across in the city.

British Columbia has lagged behind other provinces in issuing non-medical cannabis retail licences, which must first be approved by the province, then referred to local governments or Indigenous communities for approval.

Last month, Lake Country city council voted to approve a Starbuds cannabis retail shop, while the District of Summerland has also approved the Green Gaia Cannabis Co. The two shops, in a race to become the Okanagan's first legal cannabis stores, are expected to open early this year. 

The province says it has referred 232 application to local and Indigenous governments, but only six licences have been issued, including Evergreen and two City Cannabis locations in Vancouver.

City Cannabis says it plans to open its Robson location soon.