State officials are continuing to review 146 applications that have been submitted by representatives of entities which are seeking authorization to open and operate alternative treatment centers in three regions of New Jersey.
An alternative treatment center sells marijuana that is used by individuals to treat illnesses which have been diagnosed by medical professionals.
Each application that was submitted to state officials consists of about 300 pages, according to the New Jersey Department of Health website.
Six new alternative treatment centers were expected to be announced on Nov. 1, but the announcement was pushed back after more than 140 applications were submitted. The new dispensaries will be in the north, south and central regions of the state.
The submission of an application to the state, which has the authority to grant approval for an entity to operate an alternative treatment center, does not guarantee that any group submitting an application will be permitted to open a marijuana dispensary in a municipality.
Applications to open an alternative treatment center must be reviewed and approved by state officials before further action may be taken at the municipal level.
At present, there are six alternative treatment centers operating in three regions of New Jersey. Those marijuana dispensaries are in Egg Harbor Township, Montclair, Woodbridge, Cranbury, Secaucus and Bellmawr.
“The review is ongoing. The department is working as quickly as possible to issue the licenses” for new alternative treatment centers, said Jeff Brown, assistant commissioner of medicinal marijuana.