Marijuana vending machines in US

[Taf]

Eleven US states allow medical marijuana on doctors' orders

Vending machines distributing the drug marijuana are to begin operating in the US state of California.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/americas/7212778.stm

If the stuff is on presciption, why circumvent the normal pharmacy system?

[Admiral-SirJohn]

I would not be surprised if, thirty seconds after the state agents plug them in, DEA agents unplug them and cart them away.

That said, if it works, it'll be a good thing.  Perhaps the outdated drug laws in this country will finally be changed to something closer ton what the rest of the industralized world has.

As for circumventing the system, I don't think it will.  It merely automates the process somewhat and will likely be limited to the most common prescription drugs. 

I think using them first for marijuana is more a publicity stunt than anything else.  Sure, there will be some bad press, but I suspect it will get pharmacy owners thinking that such machines, stocked with less controvercial drugs, could be an effective cost-saving measure.

Ultimately, I suspect it'll be something like the way it is in Japan, where damn near every kind of consumable, from food to clothes to sex toys, can be found in vending machines.

[Cherry]

I think it's ridiculous and as soon as they put them out some drug dealer will crack them open.

[Taf]

It'll be chilled and carbonated Methadone next... sponsored by Coke...

[Admiral-SirJohn]

I think it's ridiculous and as soon as they put them out some drug dealer will crack them open.

It all depends on where they're put.  I mean, sure, if they're stuck out on a sidewalk somewhere in an area with low police presence, your fears are well-justified.  However, if it's located in a secure area, such as inside a pharmacy (which these initial ones are), they'd be no more susceptible to being broken into than the pharmacies themselves.

My example of Japan goes to illustrate the point.  The reason they can use so many vending machines for so many different things is that Japan is, for the most part, an extremely law-abiding culture.

As for the use of medical marijuana itself... that's a separate argument.  I'm of the opinion that it should be legalized and regulated the same as alcohol or tobacco, with commensurately severe penalties for those who pose a danger to themselves and others while under the influence (in the same vein as drunk driving laws).

[Cherry]

what about contact highs and all that?

[Admiral-SirJohn]

Treat it the same as secondhand smoke, which has been shown to be far more hazardous...

I'm not advocating that people light up at work, mind you.  But when relaxing at home or in a place licensed for it (similar to the smoking clubs that already exist), I see no problem, with the sole exception of when there are children present, but then I believe smoking anything in a child's presence constitutes abuse.

[Cherry]

well smoking a cigarette and smoking a joint in a child's presence are quite different. A child can't really get high off a cigarette. they can off a joint. Believe me I was practically raised in a contact high.

[Mike]

Pure madness

[Admiral-SirJohn]

well smoking a cigarette and smoking a joint in a child's presence are quite different. A child can't really get high off a cigarette. they can off a joint. Believe me I was practically raised in a contact high.

You do have a valid point, though one could argue that the health problems brought on by second hand smoke are just as bad.  Hence my "anything" position.

But go back and read my first two posts again.  My vote was on the concept of dispensing prescriptions via vending machines, not specifically marijuana.  I believe that, if limited to non-narcotic/low-addiction risk drugs, such machines have the potential to become commonplace.

"Medicinal" marijuana is iffy, at best.  Nearly all of the things it's prescribed for have other treatments that are just as effective.

[Spite]

"Medicinal" marijuana is iffy, at best.  Nearly all of the things it's prescribed for have other treatments that are just as effective.

  Doesn't really matter how iffy it is.  People who need it for pain relief, (And people who don't) will continue to make criminals of themselves by purchasing it.  It's a war no country can win unless they legalise it.

[Admiral-SirJohn]

Exactly, which is why I'm not against its decriminalization as a recreational drug, with appropriate safeguards.