40/29 reports that the state is close to hiring a consultant to help evaluate 203 applications for the 32 permits to be awarded to dispense medical marijuana.

The state got two bids and expects to award the work next week to the low bidder ($99,472) to Public Consulting Group Inc. It will have 30 days to score the applications. The Medical Marijuana Commission must vote to award the permits. PCG is based in Boston.

A web search turns up a report on questions raised about the company’s work in New Jersey on Medicaid.

Oh and PCG once was a lobby client of former Rep. John Burris and Bill Vickery and that was a Medicaid messs too. It is still a client of their lobbying firm