The concept of a cannabis vending machine has been a popular one for many years, due to its efficiency, and ability to add a new revenue stream to dispensaries without large additional startup costs. Here we outline some of the key benefits of using unattended retail machines to dispense marijuana/THC products.

1. Serve customers outside normal business hours

Since a cannabis vending machine doesn’t require a budtender, it can vend cannabis 24/7/365. Since after hours sales often provide limited choice to the consumer, this can be a great way to get rid of excess inventory or overstocked product.

2. Sell cannabis in a variety of environments

Because vending machines are portable, and the ID verification and payment processing technology works without internet access, cannabis vending machines can be used in environments such as festivals, street fairs, and other events. The State of Michigan has already begun experimenting with portable dispensaries, and multiple music festivals have announced marijuana sales on-site. Cannabis vending machines are an easy way to dispense products in both indoor and outdoor environments. Our machine is rated for indoor and sheltered outdoor use.

3. Line bust during your busiest hours

During your dispensaries highest traffic days/hours, a vending machine can be used to dispense commonly purchased quantities of your best-selling products. This can free up your budtenders to provide service to customers making specialty purchases. Your dispensary can sell more in the same period of time.

4. Expand your dispensary footprint

Green Thumb Industries recently announced that it will begin selling cannabis out of Circle K convenience stores in Florida. Cannabis vending machines allow for retail sales in new, non-dispensary environments, by integrating machines that meet the same compliance, age verification, and PII retention requirements.

5. Product providers can sell direct to consumer

Cultivators and cannabis product providers can use vending machines to sell directly to their customers without the need to manage wholesale or retailer agreements. Machines can be branded/skinned to promote your specific product.

6. Reduce your staffing needs

Because IDScan.net’s unattended retail solutions and marijuana vending machines follow the same stringent age and identity verification procedures that top dispensaries use at their entrances, they eliminate the need for an additional buddtender. Although budtenders are often the heart and soul of a dispensary, according to reports by Headset, nearly 55% of budtenders have been with their dispensary for less than one year. High turnover rates can present an operational challenge. Using ARV can alleviate some staffing challenges by providing a sales workflow that does not require an attendant.

7. Faster Time to Market

The buildout costs for a dispensary can range from $150,000 to $1,000,000. This includes real estate, professional services such as IT support and security/surveillance equipment, staffing, and licensing and zoning fees. A cannabis vending machine can be purchased, branded, and shipped in <3 weeks. The machines allow dispensaries and cannabis sellers to avoid many onerous dispensary startup costs and start earning income quickly.

Interested in purchasing a cannabis vending machine, or an unattended retail solution for other age restricted products? Contact our team today! We can provide a price quote and help you select the machine that is right for your business.