Self-Service Controlled Dispensing System and Method

A self-service controlled dispensing system comprising:

• a mobile device including one or more processors and memory storing one or more programs for execution by the one or more processors, the one or more programs including instructions that cause the one or more processors to:
• create a user account, including verifying an age or identity of the user and securing the user account with biometric validation;
• create a digital identification based on the verified age or identity and store the digital identification in the memory of the mobile device;
• identify one or more controlled dispensing machines in proximity to the mobile device;
• receive a user selection of a first controlled dispensing machine of the one or more identified controlled dispensing machines;
• receive a user request to send a payment to the first controlled dispensing machine;
• in response to the user request to send the payment to the first controlled dispensing machine, validate the user with a biometric check;
• in accordance with a successful user validation, transmit (i) the payment and (ii) a verification credential corresponding to the digital identification to the first controlled dispensing machine, enabling the first controlled dispensing machine to dispense a controlled product or service to the user.