After months of research and preparation, then more than 18 hours spent uploading documents to the state’s medical marijuana application portal, Stacy Glazer is anxiously waiting.

The company the 52-year-old Kansas City native formed with her older brother — Mandala Corp. — is now in the running for four of the coveted licenses Missouri will hand out for medical marijuana-related businesses.

A third-party blind scorer, hired by the state, will soon begin evaluating more than 2,100 bids submitted by applicants. Winners will be announced at the end of the year. The hopefuls range from marijuana behemoths already operating in other states to entrepreneurs trying to launch new ventures.

In the two congressional districts that cover most of Kansas City, there are 626 applicants for licenses that span all five categories, according to a list provided by the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services.