Five medical marijuana application sites in the State Police District 21 territory are among the applications Illinois officials will review. Figures released Thursday by state officials shows competition among companies seeking state permits to sell and grow medical marijuana.

Each of Illinois' state police districts are allowed one cultivation site. District 21 includes Kankakee, Iroquois and Ford counties.

There were no applications for dispensaries in Ford, Iroquois and Kankakee counties.
"Each district will only have one cultivation license. However, with dispensaries, based on population, some districts will be receiving more than one," said Illinois Department of Public Health spokeswoman Melaney Arnold.

Once the initial selection process is complete, the state plans a second application period for districts where no qualified applicants were submitted.

Illinois expects to grant 21 permits for growing facilities and up to 60 permits for dispensaries before the end of the year. Marijuana is expected to be available to registered patients in the spring of 2015.

94.1 WGFA