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The Department of Health received 146 applications from 106 organizations interested in operating one of six new Alternative Treatment Centers up for licensure, the governor’s office announced.The Department of Health received 146 applications from 106 organizations interested in operating one of six new Alternative Treatment Centers up for licensure, the governor’s office announced Wednesday.

Fifty applications came in for ATCs in North Jersey, while 45 came in for the central part of the state and 51 for South Jersey.

“By expanding Alternative Treatment Center locations in New Jersey, we are putting patients first and ensuring more convenient access to medical marijuana,” said Gov. Phil Murphy in a prepared statement. “This is another step forward in removing barriers put in place by the previous administration and creating a more consumer-friendly program.”

The month long application period ended at 5 p.m. Aug. 31. Now, a selection committee will evaluate applications based on the criteria delineated in the July 16 Request For Applications, and applicants chosen for the six ATCs will be notified after the review process is complete.

Recently, Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal announced that the state’s medical program had surpassed 30,000 patients.

The six chosen applicants will be required to operate a vertically integrated facility, per current ATC regulations. Applications will be publicly available once all awards have been made, which is expected to happen Nov. 1.