When some think of Bitcoin the first things that may come to mind are Silk Road and the illegal trade of drugs on the darknet. Sure, readers of SiliconANGLE will know that the perception doesn’t fit reality, but what if you could legally buy drugs using Bitcoin from a vending machine?

Meet the ZaZZZ marijuana vending machine from American Green Inc. which made its way to Seattle this week after making its original debut in Colorado back in April 2014.

The machine dispenses a variety of cannabis products, from cannabis flowers, vaporizer pens, hemp-oil energy drinks and other merchandise.

ZaZZZ comes with a range of safe guards to comply with state law including an advanced ID-scanner to verify a user’s identity, age and additional data before dispensing selected items. The machine is also temperature controlled to keep its products fresh.

As a security precaution the machines are never left unattended, and at them marijuana dispensaries they’re available an employee will stay with the machine to double check ID prior to purchase.

“This is an exciting time in Seattle’s cannabis community, and is representative of what can happen anywhere — laws permitting,” President of American Green Stephen Shearin, said in a statement. “ZaZZZ will simplify, track, and expedite the process in which marijuana users purchase their favorite products.”

Paying by Bitcoin with the machine is an easy process. Once a customer has selected their “green” product they move to the payment stage, where they choose Bitcoin as the payment option. TheZaZZZ produces a QR Code which the customer can then scan with their smartphone to enable a payment from their Bitcoin wallet.

Marijana became legal for recreational use in Washington State, as well as Colorado following voter initiatives that passed in 2012. Subsequently both Alaska and Oregon have approved similar voter initiatives, although neither yet are offering recreational pot for sale.

It’s unlikely these are going to become the cigarette vending machines of the 21st century, but the support for Bitcoin is a welcome one that will help the cryptocurrency continue to build public awareness in an effort to truly enter the mainstream.

Image credit: American Green on Pinterest