The New Jersey Department of Health is planning on expanding the state’s medical marijuana program. On Monday, it announced it was seeking applicants -- both for-profit and nonprofit -- to operate additional cultivation facilities and dispensaries.
Aspiring growers and retailers have until August 21 to apply. The state expects to grant licenses for five cultivation centers, 15 dispensaries, and 4 so-called “verticals” that would allow the winner to operate a combined cultivation facility, processor, and retail store front. Seven of the licenses are slated for South Jersey. The cost to apply is $20,000. The state will return $18,000 of that to those who are not accepted.