Vending machine for retaining and dispensing products

An apparatus for dispensing a product, the apparatus comprising:

• a housing for retaining a first dispensable product, the housing having a storage rack configured to hold the first dispensable product;
• a weight movably positioned within the storage rack, the weight being configured to exert a downward force on the first dispensable product;
• a coin assembly having a first coin slot, the coin assembly being configured to receive a coin;
• and
• a pushbutton associated with the coin assembly, the pushbutton being configured, upon activation, to cause the coin assembly to move from a first position to a second position after a coin has been placed within the first coin slot;
• and
• a push rod associated with the coin assembly, the push rod being configured to push the first dispensable product onto a release tray that is positioned at one end of the housing;
• wherein, the housing is configured to dispense the first dispensable product when the coin assembly is within the second position.