The Origin Story of Marijuana Vending Machines

Chuck Varabioff started off as a vending machine businessman in Canada. After helping his friend who was fighting terminal cancer he realized that he could possibly combine his business acumen and the demand for medicinal marijuana and possibly save more lives.

That is when the idea for marijuana vending machines was born. BCPS formerly know as the BC Pain Society became the first medical marijuana dispensary with fully functional marijuana vending machines. Now the machine is cash only and there is a required note and authorization from a medical doctor to specify what your need for medicinal marijuana is. For legal medical marijuana patients, accessing their medicine has never been easier.

The World’s First Marijuana Vending Machine Opens For Business

It wasn’t long before the idea made its way to the states and the first marijuana vending machine known as the Zazzz was born. Created by Stephen Shearin the machine made for a quick and easy pickup of pot products. Machines are located inside of dispensaries so it’s not totally as easy as picking up a candy bar. However, for those who don’t need to consult to the advice of a dispensary worker, getting a snack that will give you the munchies has never been easier. As legalization goes into affect in Canada in July 2018 it is unclear whether marijuana vending machines will become more commonplace across the country. Some provinces, like Ontario, are opting for standalone government stores. In British Columbia however, private dispensaries will be permitted to sell cannabis products so long as they acquire a retail license and receive their product wholesale from government stores. The marijuana vending machine model, as pioneered by Chuck Varabioff, could be adopted by dispensaries that successfully acquire retail licenses. In Seattle and Colorado, marijuana vending machines have already taken root. Earlier this year, American Green, developed a prototype machine, that used biometric scanning to check a customers I.D.