Massachusetts First to Launch ‘anna’ Marijuana Vending Machines
Massachusetts has gone an extra mile and done the unusual in terms of its sale of marijuana. The same way people go to a vending machine to take a drink and a snack, now you can do the same in Massachusetts. Only this time, residents of Massachusetts will not only receive an energy drink from the vending machines, but they have the option of getting their Cannabis too.
This is courtesy of the new vending machine that is underway in Massachusetts. It is a self-checkout kiosk for cannabis dispensaries.
Fourteen Units Across Two States
Boston-based anna has also become a presence in Colorado according to an announcement this week. Anna would deploy its self-checkout
products in two Colorado dispensaries this week. The company is expected to launch in Massachusetts this September.
It will begin by deploying 14 units across the two states within the next eight weeks.
Further deployment of these machines is expected in Nevada, California and Canada. Anna’s devices are very convenient for cannabis customers. The customers can now browse in-store using the available touchscreen interface. They can also use online ordering by scanning their QR code upon arrival. The checkout process takes less than a minute.
The company has put a demo on its website. On the demo, the local agents are mandated with verifying customer’s ages through their driver’s licenses. They are also able to approve payment before orders can be processed.
Customer Access With Little Contact
“It’s about getting customers through faster with less contact,” CEO Matt Frost said.
According to the company, the service will be launched to allow cannabis dispensaries and CBD retailers to offer services to additional customers. This is especially convenient in this age of social distancing guidelines. Ann has been developed for three years. The need for this product has been increased especially now that social distancing regulations are currently enforced in public places.
“A self-checkout solution does lend itself well to these times,” he said. “There’s a bigger appetite for what we’re doing now.”
Some customers may wonder if anna could accommodate all the products and whether it will efficiently cater to the high demand for this product. According to a statement by the company, the interior of anna’s unit is configured to accommodate products of all sizes. Its capacity exceeds 2,000 products in a footprint just under 8 square feet.
The service is also likely to be very useful to Massachusetts dispensaries. These dispensaries topped $785 million in total sales since recreational cannabis sales began back in November 2018. So far, the cannabis industry sales in Massachusetts has been $320million. In particular. The automation is a huge step that will make this important product readily available to residents.
Welcomed The Move
Massachusetts residents have welcomed the move, terming it as progressive. The success of the anna machine in Massachusetts will inspire other states to follow suit. No one knows when COVID-19 will end. This means the social distancing regulations will be around for a while longer.
The marijuana
vending machines will ease congestion in dispensaries and retail stores. The coming of these vending machines will no doubt boost cannabis sales.
More sales mean more production, more income and more revenue in tax for the state. The vending machine is a real example of how legalization can inspire great renovations to make service even more convenient. Nothing better than a self-checkout solution during these times.