The Anchor wrote:pot to go
<span class=postbigbold>The War on Ignorance
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The AnchorBy: Andrew Massey
Posted: 2/5/08
According to CNN, in Los Angeles a new type of vending machine has been introduced; one that dispenses medicinal marijuana. My only question is: what pothead thought of that? I'm all for the legalization of marijuana, but it is still illegal in many states (not to mention under federal law), and putting it in plain view is like waving a steak in front of a lion with the munchies.
The marijuana will be held in a machine called the PVM or prescription vending machine. Hopefully, the machine will be used for dispensing other prescription drugs, if the idea catches. In principle, the machine eliminates the need for a pharmacist and lowers the cost of drugs by about $20 to $40, according to MSNBC. If the idea does catch, it could help seniors pay for their medications and help people in lower-income households.
Now, to avoid abuse, there is a 28g per month limit and the machine will dispense 7g or 3.5g packets with each purchase. In order to access the machine, you must have a pre-paid security card and use the fingerprint scanner. Without this, you will not gain access to the drugs.
However, the biggest issue is this: no safe is impenetrable. If someone has enough desire to get inside those vending machines, they will break into them and steal them. Never underestimate the power of a motivated pothead. Even bank vaults can be broken into.
Even if people are not trying to break into the machines, there are easier ways to get the drugs, such as robbing a person who just purchased from the machine. I have a feeling there will be a lot of that once these machines get popular. Also, even though the machine regulates usage, someone will probably try and sell their marijuana at double or even four times what they paid for it. One of the more common things that will happen will be people going to doctors looking for ways to get medical marijuana, much like they do now with pain killers.
Another thing you have to worry about is corruption. If the owner of a vending machine decides to give a drug dealer access to his machine for part of his profits, then a drug dealer could have easy access to weed and no one would be the wiser. There are so many ways that a drug vending machine can be abused. That will end up costing the consumer, making the drugs in the machine almost, if not as, expensive as getting drugs from a pharmacist.
In the face of all of this, I think any drug that can get a person high should not be where the public can reach them, like in a vending machine. They should be behind a counter where there is a pharmacist and several cameras. If they put the machines in places like CVS and have security for it then I can see it working. But the cost of the machines, maintenance, and security will end up increasing the price of the drug. That may defeat the purpose of the machines.
I'm all for the use of marijuana for medical purposes, if it is what gets the job done. I just think that until marijuana becomes entirely legal, for both medical and recreational purposes, it should not be in a vending machine. It is just too tempting for addicts and dealers alike. Too many people will get hurt over it and a seemingly innocent idea will go sour quickly. Keep drugs like marijuana where they belong; behind the counter.
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<small>Andrew Massey is a third year Psychology major and the current Opinions and Lifestyles editor of the Anchor Newspaper. He is the reason you should not consume alcohol or marijuana while pregnant.</small>