State is offering free marijuana joints
Washington state offers ‘joints for jabs’ to boost vaccination rates. State offering free marijuana joints to adults that receive a Covid vaccine in program that will run until 12 July.
Participants can only receive the free joint at an on-site vaccination clinic, on the same day as their vaccination.
According to the board, many marijuana retailers were interested in supporting vaccination efforts alongside current promotions that give a free beer, wine, or cocktail to anyone 21 or older who is vaccinated by 30 June.
Washington’s program is similar to other promotions taking place across the country that are giving away free weed in exchange for proof of vaccination. In Arizona, a local dispensary is providing free marijuana joints or edibles to Arizona residents who are vaccinated. Similarly, on 20 April, a day used by many to celebrate weed, cannabis reform group DC Marijana Justice gave out over 4,200 joints at 30 vaccination sites across Washington DC.
Across the US, state officials, encouraged by the Biden administration, are using creative strategies to incentivize people to get vaccinated including cash lotteries, a chance to win shotguns or hunting rifles, and free tickets to amusement parks. States have been permitted to use federal relief funds to cover the cost of programs meant to incentivize vaccination.
As of 7 June, 58% of people in Washington have received one dose of the vaccine and 49% are fully vaccinated, according to a New York Times database.
