The state plan announced Monday to double the number of medical marijuana dispensaries in New Jersey, including basing two more in central Jersey, offers a glimpse at the cutthroat process awaiting potential operators looking to delve into the legal weed business.
Gov. Phil Murphy announced that the state Department of Health would begin accepting applications to operate one of six new dispensaries in the New Jersey medical marijuana program, doubling the number of "alternative treatment centers" already in operation.
“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 in a statement. "We have seen the addition of 10,000 new patients. Accordingly, we have to expand the number of businesses who are growing product and serving patients.”