Middlesex County has most applications for medical marijuana dispensaries

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com/AP) - A total of 181 groups have applied to operate nonprofit medical marijuana dispensaries in Massachusetts.

The state released a list of those applicants Friday. Middlesex County had the most applicants with 47.

Initial applications from prospective operators were required to be hand-delivered to the state Department of Public Health on Thursday.

A law approved by Massachusetts voters last November allows a maximum of 35 dispensaries around the state to provide marijuana to patients with medical conditions such as cancer, Parkinson's Disease and AIDS.

During the first phase of a two-part process, state public health officials will conduct background checks and screen applicants for financial viability.

Public Health Commissioner Cheryl Bartlett said the department hopes to complete the initial review by mid-September and award licenses by the end of the year.

Applicants were not required to specify locations for proposed dispensaries during the first phase of the process.

Number of applications by county:

Barnstable 9
Berkshire 3
Bristol 9
Dukes 4
Essex 16
Franklin 7
Hampden 13
Hampshire 5
Middlesex 47
Nantucket 2
Norfolk 12
Plymouth 19
Suffolk 21
Worcester 14

To see who has applied for a dispensary in your community, click here.

Cox Media Group