The New York state legislature has received resumes and cover letters from 13 applicants who want to be appointed state attorney general.

The closed-door interviews are scheduled to be conducted Tuesday and Wednesday in Albany.

The legislature could opt to appoint someone to the position, which it has authority to do by law, or lawmakers could opt to leave Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood in the post, who took over when former Attorney General Eric Schneiderman resigned last week. Underwood has also submitted her name to be interviewed.

"As for everyone calling on us to just affirm her without us being deliberate, I think is unfortunate because that's like hiring someone based on their resume," State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie said. "We want to interview her and every other person."

Some of the more high-profile candidates opted not to participate in the legislature's selection process, including Public Advocate Letitia James, State Sen. Michael Gianaris, law professor and activist Zephyr Teachout, and Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney.

Others have said they'd be interested in running for the job only if they are appointed first:

"If I was appointed by the legislature, would I run for re-election? Indeed, I would," said State Assemblyman Daniel O'Donnell of Manhattan. "Would I run for the position if they don't do that? I don't believe I would."

Gov. Andrew Cuomo has said it's possible he may endorse a candidate for the position, but he also wants to speak with the candidates first.

At an unrelated news conference at his East Side office Monday, Cuomo was asked about legalizing marijuana, something for which his Democratic primary opponent, Cynthia Nixon, has advocated.

Cuomo commissioned a study on the issue earlier this year, something widely viewed as an attempt to kick the can down the road.

On Monday, however, Cuomo said that study's release is imminent:

"That report should be done shortly," Cuomo said. "How do you define shortly? It is supposed to be done by calendar — it should be done within days."

Meanwhile, Cuomo is scheduled to depart on a two-day trip to Israel on Tuesday evening. The governor is expected to meet with top Israeli leaders and visit the Golan Heights on the Syrian border. NY1 will accompany him on the trip and will have reports over the next few days.