Prescription vending machines in Los Angeles are now dispensing medical marijuana to patients who want to use it as a treatment for various illnesses. These machines are giving patients a convenient way to obtain the drug with a valid prescription.
Kris Hermes, the legal campaign director for Americans for Safe Access said while his organization supports the use of medical marijuana, they are unsure about the use of prescription vending machines.
"We have mixed feelings at the moment, until we can see how technology and the means of dispensing fares in the coming weeks and months," Hermes said. "There is an issue with the inability to discuss details of the medication with skilled staff people and an inability to smell and look at the medication before buying."
There are security precautions taken with the PVMs, he said. There is 24-hour guarded service, a doctor recommendation and documentation and a thumb print verification.
Hermes said medical marijuana is used for a variety of ailments to help reduce discomfort in chronically ill patients.
"It's used with cancer for chemotherapy, trying to establish an appetite and keeping nausea under control," he said. "It's used with multiple sclerosis to help with spasticity. Chronic pain is the most common. It substitutes harmful pharmaceutical drugs because marijuana doesn't have side effects. As many as a third of HIV patients use it for various reasons."
Jose Martize, a special agent for the Drug Enforcement Agency, said there is no reason for him to feel positively about PVMs. Marijuana is an illegal drug and should not be used as a medication.
"There is no need for it to be prescribed," Martize said. "Until those matters change, we will enforce the law."
Nathan Sands, communication director for the Compassionate Coalition, said medical marijuana is beneficial for many patients and can make their life easier while dealing with illness.
"Marijuana is a very effective medication for a lot of different health problems," Sands said. "The voters of California voted it into effect 10 years ago. There's awareness it is a good medication."
He said there is verifiable evidence marijuana has helped people in the past and continues to help them now.
"There were studies in England using marijuana to treat multiple sclerosis, cancer and AIDS," Sands said. "It has a preventative health benefit. It can prevent, breakdown and even cure cancer."
PVMs offer the ability to buy marijuana at any time of day, he said. The convenience and price are great advantages, but because the machine cannot answer questions about the product customers may have, the PVMs do have disadvantages.
Martize said there is a chance the machines could be shut down, but that cannot be determined right now.
"Like anything else, we gather the evidence and submit it to the U.S. attorney office," he said. "Then we get a seizure warrant for the premise or the item."
The DEA has searched many PVMs already, Martize said. They have run into problems with cooperation from owners.
"These machines were available," he said. "What happened is when we had search warrants, the person in charge of the premise would refuse to open the machines. We are forced to open them if they don't provide us the means of opening."
Hermes said the number of PVMs has greatly increased in the last few years. Patients prefer the convenience they provide and the around-the-clock access to treatment.
"We're advocating the safest and most affordable access for patients," he said. "Anything that enhances access. Before a few years ago, there were just a few dozen dispensaries. Today, there are more than 300."
Martize said the DEA will continue to prosecute marijuana users, even if it is for medical reasons.
"Marijuana continues to be a schedule one control substance, not a legitimate medication," he said. "There is no need to be prescribed. Until those matters change, we'll enforce the law."
Other drugs also have a medical benefit like marijuana, but they are not available to the medical community, Martize said. These include schedule two drugs such as cocaine.
Still, Hermes said access to medical marijuana is worth fighting for. If PVMs can increase convenience and comfort, patients will continue to use them.
"We believe the rise of number and the access is safe for medical marijuana," he said. "As long as they're not abused and work for a significant number of patients, then why not have them?"
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