GANGE ON THE GO

Marijuana Vending Machine Seems to Be Unnecessary Addition

On Jan. 28, CBS News reported that a vending machine that dispenses
medical marijuana will be available at the Herbal Nutrition Center of
Los Angeles. It won't be the same as the snack machines dotting
UW-Eau Claire, though - this prescription vending machine requires
extensive hoops for potential buyers to jump through. But the
proprietors of this PVM should be cautious with providing drugs in
such a fashion.

The security measures for the medical marijuana PVM are extensive,
according to the report. Patients have to get an access card to
enter, go through security, be fingerprinted, submit their
prescription, pay and then finally pick up their drugs; a camera will
take a picture of patients to make sure they are actually at the
machine. The main purpose of the PVM is to allow patients access to
prescriptions after hours at the pharmacy.

While the idea of allowing patients more access to the medical
marijuana they need to ease their pain is admirable, the fact that
the drug is still illegal to sell under federal law brings a host of
potential problems. First off, where does the Herbal Nutrition Center
get its marijuana? Does it get it off the streets as doctors are
forced to tell their patients to do because of the federal ban on the
drug? The idea of a street peddler making money from this machine is
unappealing despite the benefits.

Also missing from the PVM is the face-to-face interaction patients
should have with their doctors. This backdoor means of distributing
the drug robs patients the ability to express concerns with their
treatment to a doctor. Is this vending machine idea more convenient
than having at least one doctor on hand at a 24-hour pharmacy?

The Herbal Nutrition Center should look closely to see if there is an
absolute need for a machine of this type, as the problems it raises
could put patients at more of a risk than necessary.