We first heard from the makers of one of the world’s first marijuana vending machines, Medbox, back in January. Back then we could only imagine what such a thing could look like, how it would work or what exactly, it would hold. And now due to the ever-churning news cycle, we’re getting a glimpse of what could be the future in states like Colorado and Washington.

The result? Kind of like a DVD dispenser from say, Redbox, but it’s black, refrigerated, and armored, notes Businessweek.

The company’s founder (who told possible investors that his company is “planning to literally dominate the industry”) doesn’t like the term vending machine, however. It’s not like you’ll be able to stick cash in, press A1 and leave with an ounce of marijuana.

Instead, the device would sit behind counters at state-licensed marijuana dispensaries, and use biometric technology to identify patients’ fingerprints. The clerks would then hand over plastic vials of pot. Or in some machines, medical marijuana patients could choose from an array of edible — or “medible” — options like pot brownies and lozenges.

Everything a patient buys goes into a database, which is to ensure that they’re not buying more than they should legally, and that clerks aren’t having their way with the goods. Oh yes, and so taxes can be collected on that tasty cake.

“If you’re going to allow people to have marijuana, then let’s organize it, regulate it, tax it,” Medbox’s CEO says. “It has to work for everybody.”

Medbox: Dawn of the Marijuana Vending Machine [Businessweek]

Want more consumer news? Visit our parent organization, Consumer Reports, for the latest on scams, recalls, and other consumer issues.