A controversial new pharmaceutical vending machine was unveiled in the US last week. It is climate-controlled to keep the contents at peak condition and is designed only to dispense when an appropriate medical ID card is scanned. It is also linked to a secure banking system so users can pay directly by credit card.
It doesn’t sound particularly controversial – until you find that it is designed to dispense medical marijuana.
The ZaZZZ machine dispenses products from the first legal US marijuana grower, American Green. It was launched in Colorado and will be restricted to licenced marijuana dispensaries.
Presumably, the rules of Good Distribution Practice apply here as they do to regular pharmaceuticals – certainly every care seems to be taken to preserve the “efficacy” of the product.
The machines are intended to improve stock control and reduce the risk of theft by employees and customers alike – useful traits for any pharmaceutical.
However, it comes on the back of a major reluctance of the US banking sector to get involved in the trade. After all, the drug is still illegal in the US as a whole – I wonder how iTalk (whose connectivity software is used in ZaZZZ) are going to avoid accusations of money laundering?
As a Schedule I substance alongside heroin, Federal law states that it is illegal for any person to manufacture, distribute, or possess cannabis for any purpose. However, Colorado is one of 21 states that have already made marijuana available to qualifying patients. The Federal opinion is that marijuana has no medical benefits.
Regardless of the emotive and legally confused nature of its contents – the ZaZZ is an interesting device that could prove useful in other applications.
|
|
 |
|
|
Share on LinkedIn |
Share via Email |
