After months of delays that exacerbated a marijuana supply shortage for patients, New Jersey has now effectively doubled the size of its medical marijuana program.

The state Department of Health on Monday revealed the six medical marijuana dispensaries it picked to add to the program. If those six get up and running, New Jersey would have 12 dispensaries across the state.

Gov. Phil Murphy called for a large expansion of the medical marijuana program earlier this year and took some steps to immediately grow the program. These six will be the first new dispensaries added as part of that plan.

The Health Department, which oversees the medical marijuana program, received 146 applications for the six open slots. The department initially said it would announce the six new dispensaries in November, but officials, inundated with paperwork, had to delay the announcement.

“Six very strong applicants were selected, including minority-owned and women-owned businesses,” Health Commissioner Shereef Elnahal said. “We will meet with them early next year to refine their timetable for growing product and opening their doors.” [Read more at NJ.com]