The future of marijuana retail could mean more automation and shorter wait times as Colorado marijuana retailers change their business models during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Green Solution, one of the state’s largest dispensary chains, has installed self-service kiosks in all 21 lobbies of its retail stores. Meanwhile, Boston-based Anna offers self-service marijuana purchasing lockers that operate similar to vending machines, which are currently available in stores owned by Starbuds and Strawberry Fields dispensaries.

The need to fulfill fast, self-service marijuana sales was actually being developed before the pandemic, but the minimal-contact vending machines and self-serve kiosks are becoming more popular in Colorado dispensaries as the pandemic continues. Both options limit the amount of time spent by customers in the dispensary, minimize person-to-person contact and allow for faster customer turnover rates.

“We have clients who have really enjoyed the convenience and feel like it’s created a level of safety for them,” says the Green Solution CEO Steve Lopez, adding the he plans to keep kiosks in the Green Solution locations after the pandemic, for buyer convenience. [Read more at Westword]