New Jersey is seeking to double its number of medical marijuana dispensaries, Gov. Phil Murphy said Monday.
Murphy said in a statement that the state is requesting applications for six new dispensaries, up from the six that now operate in the state.
The program has grown under the Democratic governor, who has vowed to expand it. Officials say 10,000 new patients have become eligible under the program since January, bringing the total to 25,000.
The freshman governor, who took over this year from marijuana critic Republican Chris Christie, cast the expansion as part of an effort to meet patient demand.
“We look forward to the opening of six new dispensaries so we can ensure that all qualifying patients who want access to medicinal marijuana can have it,” Murphy said.
According to Murphy, applicants must operate a dispensary that cultivates and manufactures medical cannabis. The facility can be for-profit or a nonprofit and must file a business plan along with a budget specifying revenues and expenses over five years, the administration said.