New Yorkers Can Now Get Their CBD From A Robot-Powered Dispensary from Greenbox Robotics

• Greenbox launched a robot for dispensaries and retail stores to provide CBD to the masses.
• Projections for the CBD industry predict that it will surpass $5 billion this year.

In the last year, the accessibility to cannabis (and CBD especially) has grown significantly, allowing consumers who previously have not had access to easily get the therapeutic benefits it offers. There are plenty of dispensaries in each of the states that have legalized the substance, but CBD can be sold by retailers and even drug stores instead. Now, anyone in New York can get their CBD on-the-go with a new machine from Greenbox Robotics, according to reports from Cheddar.

CBD-dispensing robots have arrived in New York City. https://t.co/VSw2dRVoMQ

— Cheddar (@cheddar) August 14, 2019

The machine, found at CBD and wellness shop Come Back Daily, is powered by artificial intelligence, and it dispenses the CBD product chosen by the user. In adding this robot, founder Zack Johnson hopes that sales at retail stores and dispensaries can be faster, but he also is prioritizing the education to customers about CBD, a hemp compound.

Johnson stated,

“The customers will walk up to our fully integrated touch screen. When they click on the actual product, they’ll get as much information as the manufacturer of that product provides, so they can make an educated decision as to which product makes the most sense for their needs, as well as learn what is CBD and how it can help their everyday lives.”

Ultimately, Johnson is aiming to bring more information to customers and to entice more customers to come in and check out their products. However, the robot also offers information on shopping data to the brands, shops, and other entities involved (like Greenbox) to stay current on the latest trends in the industry.

He stated,

“Data can help us make informed decisions on activations at festivals, what products to manufacture based off of this age, this sex, this region of the world, buying this product.”

Originally, these robots were not developed as a marketing product for CBD, though Greenbox shifted its attention to the CBD industry after watching it grow. By the end of this year, the Brightfield Group market research firm believes that the industry will ultimately reach $5.1 billion, which is an increase of about 700% from last year. With the more progressive regulations regarding CBD products, Greenbox won’t have as many roadblocks as if they had entered the market earlier with the robots.

Johnson commented that the original goal was to create a fully automated experience for customers when making their purchase within a dispensary.

However, he explained,

“Because of the rise of CBD … our demand completely shifted toward CBD robots. Now everybody wants ー instead of inside of their dispensary ー their branded CBD robot in a shopping mall, in an airport terminal, in a grocery store.”