New York issues first licenses for legal pot dispensaries

It's high time!

It (legalized recreational use of marijuana) attracts an undesirable element. "Lucrative"? To the contrary; the costs to society at large far outweighs any taxation revenue.

the costs to society at large far outweighs any taxation revenue

worse could be said for advertising, alcohol, consumer credit, gambling...

The skewed life work balance alone in Japan and other "advanced" economies surely lurks behind the consumption of intoxicants in order to "chill" from all the stress. Humans are not only resilient. We are also fragile and modern life takes its toll on all of us for the insatiable Moloch of capitalism must be fed with human lives. There are few people indeed who can escape its jaws with sobriety. Science (knowledge is power) is needed to help us find the right "balance". In the meantime, with a little help from my friends...