In the News: Marijuana Vending Machines

Marijuana may now become available via vending machine, reports The Huffington Post. With retail sale of marijuana expected in Colorado by January 2014 –- and shortly thereafter in the state of Washington, many retailers are looking at new, and more convenient, ways to sell to consumers.

A Phoenix-based company called Endexx Corp envisions marijuana vending machines at retail outlets. Orders will be placed via a smart phone app, and the customer will then go to the closest marijuana vending machine and use the touch screen to complete the order.

“The way we see it, when you walk into a shop, you don’t need the expert or aficionado to help with selection,” Todd Davis, chief executive officer of Endexx, told The Huffington Post. “The people who are using this in the recreational space — they know what they want, and they don’t want to hear the whole spiel every time.”

Endexx recently bought two smaller firms that provide vending machines to medical marijuana outlets. In the outlets, staff uses the machines do dole out measured portions of marijuana to customers.

Davis tells The Huffington Post he expects his company to be one of perhaps three major players manufacturing marijuana vending machines once marijuana is available for retail sale.

Those, like Davis, hoping to cash in on marijuana vending machines are likely to face competition. California-based Medbox Inc. is currently the industry leader in providing machine dispensing systems to medical marijuana dispensaries. Shops can pay $50,000 and receive two marijuana vending machines, one for dispensing marijuana, and the other for dispensing marijuana laced edibles like cookies and cakes.

Most people report physiological and psychological effects after marijuana use. Short-term physical effects of marijuana include increased heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and impairment of short-term and working memory. Behaviorally/psychologically, marijuana produces euphoria – a feeling of joy, relaxation, and increased visual, auditory, and taste perceptions. Most users also report an increase in their appetite. Unpleasant reactions that may result from smoking marijuana include acute feelings of panic, disorientation, or paranoia. The effects of THC last from a few seconds to several minutes after it is inhaled. Effects last from 30-60 minutes if marijuana is ingested.

If you or someone you love is in addicted to marijuana, please give us a call at 800-951-6135.

Source:

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/06/09/marijuana-vending-machines_n_3405314.html