A system and method for verifying the age of a controlled substance purchaser are disclosed. The system and method in an example embodiment include receiving biometric data corresponding to a consumer who has presented an age-restricted product for purchase at a point of sale location; generating an age verification request including the biometric data; sending the age verification request to a central computer via a data network; receiving a response message from the central computer via the data network, the response message including information for determining whether the consumer is of sufficient age to purchase the age-restricted product; and denying purchase of the age-restricted product if the consumer is determined to not be of sufficient age to purchase the age-restricted product.