--Ralph Waldo Emerson
It may not be a better mousetrap, but there's a feeling that at least some people will be beating a path to the new marijuana vending machines that open today in California.
The first of their kind in the U.S.A--one speculates the world--the machines will dispense medicinal marijuana for patients who are prescribed marijuana for health reasons.
Patients have to jump through a few hoops before they can use the machines: they have to present a prescription, be photographed and be fingerprinted and then they are issued a pre-paid credit card that stores the dosage and type of drug prescribed.
Only in the U.S.
Only in California.
No, the machines can't be used by the paperboy down the street to get ready for a "party hard" weekend--unless the paperboy has been prescribed the drug for health reasons.
At present, eleven states allow the medicinal use of marijuana, primarily for pain relief, but, in the land of the drug crusaders, it remains controversial. Although, one wonders why giving relief to, in some cases, terminally ill patients would cause anyone but drug warriors any cause for concern.
Vince Mehdizadeh, owner of the Herbal Nutrition Centre in Los Angeles, where one of the two first machines is based, said it would allow patients to buy extra supplies whenever needed.
America is the land of consumer satisfaction and fast food--so it makes sense that it is also the land of the marijuana vending machine.
"They'll be greeted by a security guard right there. They'll slide the card in and they'll fingerprint in to verify that it's them," Mehdizadeh was quoted as saying.
"A camera takes a picture of them, verifying that they're actually at the machine. And they get the medicine and they move on."
At least some of the operators think that the machines might become a common sight in across the U.S.A.
Proponents say marijauna is a valuable tool for relieving pain and stimulating appetite in the sick.
What we're wondering is will the operators take the next logical step?
And dispense Oreos and Gummy Bears along with the pot.
by Mondoreb
images: boingboing; weedtalk
Sources:
* Marijuana Vending Machines in U.S.
* Marijuana vending machines open today in California
* Video: ebaum'sworld
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