State officials say two of five legal marijuana "manufacturing" operations will be located here in the North Country, one in Fulton County and the other in Warren County. A legal dispensary will also be located in Clinton County.

“New York State’s medical marijuana program will ensure many people

suffering from very serious illnesses have access to a treatment that shows

tremendous promise,” said Senator Betty Little in a statement Friday afternoon.

"That we will have a growing facility in Warren County and a

distribution facility in Clinton County makes it even better because there

is an economic benefit to be gained as well.”

That we will have a growing facility in Warren County and a

distribution facility in Clinton County makes it even better

"The selection of the five registered organizations is a key step forward in the accelerated timetable to implement the Medical Marijuana Program by January 2016," state officials said in a statement.

State Health Commissioner Dr. Howard Zucker said the organizations chosen to pioneer legal marijuana in New York state "showed, through a rigorous and comprehensive evaluation process, they are best suited to produce and provide quality medical marijuana to eligible New Yorkers in need, and to comply with New York’s strict program requirements.”

The idea of manufacturing and distributing marijuana in the North Country has drawn bipartisan support. In February, Plattsburgh City Councilor Josh Kretser said the program "has a potential to create a number of living-wage jobs for residents of the North Country and the City of Plattsburgh, it’s – it really is a win-win."

Some critics have suggested that New York is moving too slowly in implementing the program and hasn't allowed a large enough operation.

State officials say more than forty different organizations applied for the opportunity to make or distribute marijuana under the program.