In another sign of the robust interest in New Jersey's growing medical marijuana program, the state has received 146 applications to run six new retail shops that would sell the drug to the more than 30,000 people authorized to take it for conditions ranging from anxiety to chronic pain.

Would-be operators of the six new dispensaries — two each in northern, central and southern New Jersey — had until Friday to submit applications to the New Jersey Department of Health.

Even before the deadline, it was clear that dozens of people and ownership groups — including former New York Giants wide receiver Amani Toomer — would be vying for a piece of New Jersey's medical marijuana market, which has doubled in size since Gov. Phil Murphy took office in January. About 800 people attended a conference in Trenton in August that was required of prospective applicants.

A Democrat who also supports legal weed for people without medical cards, Murphy inherited a medical program with about 15,000 patients and five retail locations for marijuana.

Story continues below gallery.

A sixth dispensary opened in Secaucus in June. Meanwhile, Murphy added conditions such as anxiety and Tourette's syndrome to the list for which a patient may be prescribed marijuana, and encouraged more doctors to sign up to prescribe the drug. With more than 30,000 people now licensed to take marijuana for medical reasons, Murphy announced in July that the state would authorize six new retail locations, which the state calls alternative treatment centers, to open as soon as the end of this year.

“By expanding alternative treatment center locations in New Jersey, we are putting patients first and ensuring more convenient access to medical marijuana,” Murphy said in a press release from his office. “This is another step forward in removing barriers put in place by the previous administration and creating a more consumer-friendly program.”

PROSECUTION:With legal weed still hazy, New Jersey to resume prosecution of marijuana offenses

ANALYSIS:NJ economic growth won't sustain Murphy's agenda, adding pressure to raise taxes

LOCAL:West Milford 210-acre farm one step closer to growing medical marijuana

The 2010 law that allowed medical marijuana in New Jersey required that the original six dispensaries operate as non-profits. Murphy's administration has dropped that requirement for the next six. None of the operators of the existing dispensaries is allowed to compete for a license to operate a new one.

Prospective operators of the new dispensaries must also grow and cultivate their own marijuana, provide evidence of site control and get approval from the local municipal council. They also must provide a business plan showing anticipated revenue and expenses over five years.

As the state moves to expand the medical program, lawmakers are inching forward with a bill that would make New Jersey the ninth state to establish a legal and taxed market for weed. Senate President Stephen Sweeney, D-Gloucester, has said he hopes to get a vote this month on a 71-page bill that would allow adults 21 and older to purchase marijuana at potentially hundreds of retail locations around the state.