SALT LAKE CITY (AP) — Utah has dismissed appeals from six companies that were denied licenses to grow medical marijuana for the state and argued the state chose unqualified companies.

Utah’s Division of Purchasing announced its decision to dismiss all of the appeals Wednesday. Director Chris Hughes says rejected applicants can appeal his decision to the state Procurement Policy Board.

The denied companies could consider lawsuits at a later point, as well.

Their protests challenged the state’s decision to award fewer licenses than allowed by law.

Utah agriculture officials say they licensed eight medical growers instead of the up to 10 allowed to avoid an oversupply of marijuana. The program is set to open next year.

The companies that appealed were Pure UT, North Star Holdings, Total Health Sciences, Wild West Holding, JLPR and Tintic United Bioscience.