Vending Machines Dispense Pot in LA

Wed Jan 30, 2008 5:39 AM EST

us-news, machine, vending-machine, marijuana-vending-machine

LOS ANGELES — The city that popularized the fast food drive-thru has a new innovation: 24-hour medical marijuana vending machines.

Patients suffering from chronic pain, loss of appetite and other ailments that marijuana is said to alleviate can get their pot with a dose of convenience at the Herbal Nutrition Center, where a large machine will dole out the drug around the clock.

"Convenient access, lower prices, safety, anonymity," inventor and owner Vincent Mehdizadeh said, extolling the benefits of the machine.

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

"Somebody owns (it), it's on a property and somebody fills it," said DEA Special Agent Jose Martinez. "Once we find out where it's at, we'll look into it and see if they're violating laws."

At least three dispensaries in the city, including two belonging to Mehdizadeh, have installed vending machines to distribute the drug to people who carry cards authorizing marijuana use.

Mehdizadeh said he spent seven months to develop and patent the black, armored box, which he calls the "PVM," or prescription vending machine.

A sliding fence protects the tinted windows of his dispensary, barely distinguishing it from a busy thoroughfare of strip malls, automobile dealers and furniture shops. A box resembling a large refrigerator stands inside the nearly empty shop, near a few shelves stocked with vitamins and herbs.

A guard in a black T-shirt emblazoned with the word "Security" on the front stands at the door. A poster of Bob Marley decorates a back room.

The computerized machine requires fingerprint identification and a prepaid card with a magnetic stripe. Once the card and fingerprint are verified, a bright green envelope with the pot drops down a slot.

Mehdizadeh says any user approved for medical marijuana and registered in a computer database at his dispensaries can pre-purchase the drug and then use the machine to pick up.

The process provides convenience and privacy for users who may otherwise feel uncomfortable about buying marijuana, Mehdizadeh said.

At the Timothy Leary Medical Dispensary in the San Fernando Valley, the vending machine is accessible only during business hours. An employee there said the machine was introduced about five months ago, and provides speedy service.

"It helps a lot of patients who are in a lot of pain and don't want to wait around to get help," Robert Schwartz said. "It's been working out great."

Mehdizadeh said he sought the advice of doctors, and decided to limit the amount of marijuana per user to an ounce per week. Each purchase from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce. By eliminating a vendor behind the counter, he said, the machine offers users lower drug prices. The 1/8th ounce packet would cost about $40 — $20 lower than the average price at other dispensaries.

A spokesman for a marijuana advocacy group said the machine also benefits dispensary owners.

"It limits the number of workers in the store in the event of a raid, and it'll make it harder for theft," said Nathan Sands, of The Compassionate Coalition.

Marijuana use is illegal under federal law, which does not recognize the medical marijuana laws in California and 11 other states.

The Drug Enforcement Agency and other federal agencies have been actively shutting down major medical marijuana dispensaries throughout the state over the last two years and charging their operators with felony distribution charges.

Mehdizadeh said the Herbal Nutrition Center was the target of a federal raid in December. He said no arrests were made and no charges have been filed against him.

Kris Hermes, a spokesman for advocacy group Americans for Safe Access, said the machine might benefit those who already know how much and what strain of marijuana they're looking for. But he said others will want to see and smell the drug before they buy it.

A man who said he has been authorized to use medical marijuana as part of his anger management therapy said the vending machine's security measures would at least protect against illicit use of the drug.

"You have kids that want to get high and that's not what marijuana is for," Robert Miko said. "It's to medicate."

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Daisy Nguyen's Column, All of Newsvine
Groups: Marijuana News
Regions: Los Angeles

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5.1

{"commentId":1416543,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

That's it. I am moving to California and injuring my back. Or ... hell, I'm sure I could switch out my Zoloft prescription.

{"commentId":1416543,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

5 votes

#1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:03 AM EST

{"commentId":1423263,"authorDomain":"cynna66"}

cynna66

Let's go on vacation ;D

{"commentId":1423263,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"cynna66"}

3 votes

#1.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:47 PM EST

{"commentId":7049994,"authorDomain":"dkaz"}

dkaz

What's the housing market like in L.A. now? Any good deals?

{"commentId":7049994,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"dkaz"}

1 vote

#1.2 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:29 AM EDT

{"commentId":1416570,"authorDomain":"seward"}

Sandie Seward

You see, Doc, I have this chronic arthritis and the only thing that eases the pain in my joints is a joint!

{"commentId":1416570,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"seward"}

4 votes

#2 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:16 AM EST

{"commentId":1416620,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

I have a fever, and the only cure, is more cowbell! Oh, and some pot. LOL

{"commentId":1416620,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

6 votes

#2.1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 7:38 AM EST

{"commentId":1416757,"authorDomain":"bobneve1"}

Wizeguy

Turf toe here! I think I'm getting glaucoma! Oh my aching back.

Can anyone recommend a good Doctor. I am planning to visit my kids in Ca in May.

{"commentId":1416757,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"bobneve1"}

3 votes

#3 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:39 AM EST

{"commentId":1416761,"authorDomain":"mfoxtrot"}

mfoxtrot

I hope those things are as secure as an armored vehicle, because their contents are probably about as popular with today's teenage population.

{"commentId":1416761,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"mfoxtrot"}

3 votes

#4 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:40 AM EST

{"commentId":1416783,"authorDomain":"newsguru"}

newsguru

I think my back is starting to ache too ;)

{"commentId":1416783,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"newsguru"}

4 votes

#5 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:45 AM EST

{"commentId":1416818,"authorDomain":"shirl7575"}

shirl7575

Next we will need a toot machine since that relieves all pain and cures narcalepsy and cures sinus and hay fever and cures attention deficit disorders etc. and so on and so on.

{"commentId":1416818,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"shirl7575"}

2 votes

#6 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:55 AM EST

{"commentId":1416897,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

And causes heart attacks, high blood pressure, does not, in fact cure any of the things you listed as it wreaks havoc on the sinuses, and certainly does not sharpen one's attention span, and so on and so on.

{"commentId":1416897,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

4 votes

#6.1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:20 AM EST

{"commentId":1417267,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

Yeah and Olestra causes your butt hole to leak. What's your point?

{"commentId":1417267,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

3 votes

#6.2 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:44 AM EST

{"commentId":1421942,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

My point? Blow isn't comparable to pot in any way. Pot is a plant, blow is a chemical manufactured in a lab. Pot is an herb, blow is a pharmaceutical. This article is about medicinal herbs. Associating medicinal herbs with cocaine is what is wrong with the drug laws in this country.

That's my point.

{"commentId":1421942,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

3 votes

#6.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:32 PM EST

{"commentId":1422241,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

Yes, I agree. Though, I'm still not sure what the answer is. The very fact that these drugs are illegals makes the black market, which increases he value and the risks people are willing to take, which makes the whole thing more violent, dangerous and susceptible to corruption. The heart attack might be the least of the problems. That said, at the very least, start with the medicinal herbs and just make them all legal.

{"commentId":1422241,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

1 vote

#6.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:48 PM EST

{"commentId":1422332,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

start with the medicinal herbs and just make them all legal.

Amen.

{"commentId":1422332,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

2 votes

#6.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:09 PM EST

{"commentId":1416852,"authorDomain":"bobneve1"}

Wizeguy

Each purchase from the machine yields 1/8th or 2/8th of an ounce.

Dude 2/8th? Thats a quarter OZ! What ever happened to lids? Can you still buy Zig Zag papers? I've been so out of touch.

{"commentId":1416852,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"bobneve1"}

5 votes

#7 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:07 AM EST

{"commentId":1417420,"authorDomain":"deatienza"}

Eric Atienza

And what happened to reducing fractions? My 4th grade math teacher is crying somewhere.

{"commentId":1417420,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"deatienza"}

5 votes

#7.1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:29 AM EST

{"commentId":1419026,"authorDomain":"Emily"}

Emily

Fractions are hard.

{"commentId":1419026,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"Emily"}

2 votes

#7.2 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 6:16 PM EST

{"commentId":1416979,"authorDomain":"shaman-in-a-yurt"}

Shaman.in.a.yurt

Great idea, I love it.

Although, how long until someone drives up with their truck and straps the machine on and drives off, like some steal ATMs?

{"commentId":1416979,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"shaman-in-a-yurt"}

4 votes

#8 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 9:42 AM EST

{"commentId":1417259,"authorDomain":"AlwaysOnWatch"}

Always On Watch

Well, I do indeed have a back injury. But somehow I think that cannabis might do some damage to my lungs--not to mention my sense of judgment.

{"commentId":1417259,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"AlwaysOnWatch"}

2 votes

#9 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:42 AM EST

{"commentId":1421972,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

Nobody says you have to smoke it. Eat it, make pills with it ... there are a million ways. Besides, there isn't a single case where anyone can point to lung cancer from marijuana use. The old myth that 1 joint is equal to 20 cigarettes is just that, a myth. In fact, THC has been shown in recent studies to prevent, slow, and in some cases completely stop tumor growth in cancer patients.

Sense of judgment? Well, hell, what medicine doesn't mess with your sense of judgment? Vicodin? Valium? Oxycontin? Darvaset? Hell, even a good dose of Ibuprofen will make you loopy.

{"commentId":1421972,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

2 votes

#9.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:39 PM EST

{"commentId":7049653,"authorDomain":"krishna109"}

krishna-167929

Besides, there isn't a single case where anyone can point to lung cancer from marijuana use.

I would imagine that's because there haven't been many studies done (as there has been for cigarettes). My guess would be that inahling any hot smoke over time would be very damaging.

{"commentId":7049653,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"krishna109"}

2 votes

#9.2 - Wed May 13, 2009 10:15 AM EDT

{"commentId":1417277,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

It's a plant. It is a natural marvelous resource. It is the safest most benign therapeutically active substance known to mankind. Only 1) a racist or 2) an ignorant 3) an intolerant or 4) an incompassionate person would argue this point.

{"commentId":1417277,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

7 votes

#10 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 10:47 AM EST

{"commentId":1418186,"authorDomain":"biggerthebetter"}

biggerthebetter

I agree. At least it is natural, like other long-known garden-grown remedies.

{"commentId":1418186,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"biggerthebetter"}

3 votes

#10.1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:12 PM EST

{"commentId":1417406,"authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

Jared Kardos

*Note to self: Move to California*

{"commentId":1417406,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"darkknightjrk"}

3 votes

#11 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:24 AM EST

{"commentId":1417416,"authorDomain":"emix"}

Evan Mix

Los Angeles medical-cannabis dispensary owner Vincent Mehdizadeh poses with his new Marijuana vending machine

Nice suit, guy.

{"commentId":1417416,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"emix"}

3 votes

#12 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 11:27 AM EST

{"commentId":1418168,"authorDomain":"nefariousone73"}

rbeier

So how exactly is this legal? Not saying it shouldn't be, but...

{"commentId":1418168,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"nefariousone73"}

3 votes

#13 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 2:08 PM EST

{"commentId":1419472,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

Because the voters made it law. Pretty simple really. What is illegal, or should I say unconstitutional, is having the Federal government persecuting the free states like this. In fact, given the reality that marijuana is illegal because of a racist Nixon, it is, in fact, a hate crime to enforce it. No different (at all) than if the Federal government declared that minorities should ride in the back of the bus but not for states like California exercising their rights as a state in this union. We need to reduce Washington to a tourist attraction. It no longer serves any purpose and is dominated by criminal, racist imperialists.

{"commentId":1419472,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

4 votes

#13.1 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:23 PM EST

{"commentId":1419494,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

But federal drug agents say the invention may need unplugging.

And this tax paying voter thinks that John Walters needs unplugging.

{"commentId":1419494,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

4 votes

#14 - Wed Jan 30, 2008 8:28 PM EST

{"commentId":1421978,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

As soon as Bush is out of office, we need to hammer Washington with this issue. I thought Bill would fix it. He disappointed me more than anyone will ever know.

{"commentId":1421978,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

3 votes

#14.1 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 1:41 PM EST

{"commentId":1422249,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

Agree and am also sympathetic. Bill damaged democracy in a huge and disgraceful way. The upshot is we should not be fooled again. Where, exactly, does Obama sit on this issue, do you know?

{"commentId":1422249,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

2 votes

#14.2 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 2:50 PM EST

{"commentId":1422361,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

Barack has remained largely silent on this issue, which I think is smart. Too many people just don't get it yet. Here is all I can find on his drug policy:

Obama will give first-time, non-violent offenders a chance to serve their sentence, where appropriate, in the type of drug rehabilitation programs that have proven to work better than a prison term in changing bad behavior.

It's a decent start, but let's bug him about it once he's in a position to do something about it.

At least Obama admits his past. Bill refused to admit that he even smoked pot, let alone snorted coke, despite the fact that Roger is on tape saying he has to score some blow for his brother, who has a nose like a vacuum cleaner.

{"commentId":1422361,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

2 votes

#14.3 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 3:15 PM EST

{"commentId":1422556,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

Actually, now there's this.

{"commentId":1422556,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

2 votes

#14.4 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 4:03 PM EST

{"commentId":1423156,"authorDomain":"walketim"}

TBone

Thanks for this information and the link. I'm liking Obama more and more. So, what's not to like?

{"commentId":1423156,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"walketim"}

3 votes

#14.5 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:23 PM EST

{"commentId":1423250,"authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

Kevin Dicks

Beats me, but there are several newsviners (one comes to mind in particular) who could give you a laundry list of Clintonian lies in an effort to destroy his campaign.

{"commentId":1423250,"threadId":"211029","contentId":"1265498","authorDomain":"kevindicks"}

3 votes

#14.6 - Thu Jan 31, 2008 6:44 PM EST

{"commentId":10405164,"authorDomain":"breelaboy"}

breelaboyDeleted

{"commentId":10429357,"authorDomain":"brianalampton"}

brianalamptonDeleted

{"canLink":false,"threadId":"211029","isPrivate":false}

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Vending Machines Dispense Pot in LA

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