Meet Legal Weed's First Billionaire

His ATM machine dispenses pot, not cash

Inspiration meets innovation at Brandweek, the ultimate marketing experience. Join industry luminaries, rising talent and strategic experts in Phoenix, Arizona this September 23–26 to assess challenges, develop solutions and create new pathways for growth. Register early to save.

If Americans get their cash from an ATM and their Snickers bars from a vending machine, then why not automated cannabis distribution as well? In 2010, California entrepreneur Vincent Mehdizadeh received a U.S. patent for his “biometric dispensing marijuana machine.” His company, Medbox, has since gone public—and made Mehdizadeh the legal weed industry’s first billionaire. So, might the Maui Wowie Machine be coming to a mall near you? We called the inventor to ask. 

Illustration: Nick Iluzada

We’ve seen stories about your machines, but you don’t have any set up at the mall or airport, right?
I have the patents on consumer-accessed marijuana ATMs, but we have not offered that concession until social sentiment catches up to us.

AW+

WORK SMARTER - LEARN, GROW AND BE INSPIRED.

Subscribe today!

To Read the Full Story Become an Adweek+ Subscriber

View Subscription Options

Already a member? Sign in