'Joints for Jabs': Washington state allows for free marijuana joints with coronavirus vaccine

The state of Washington is allowing marijuana retailers to offer a free marijuana joint to any adult receiving a coronavirus vaccination shot. States across America are using various strategies to encourage people to get the vaccine shot. The decision was announced by the state’s liquor and cannabis board, adding that the promotion, called “Joints for Jabs" was effective immediately and would be available till July 12. As per the promotion, marijuana retailers will be able to provide customers who are 21 or older with a prerolled joint at their stores when they provide proof of receiving their first or second dose at an active vaccine clinic, reported The New York Times.

The Washington liquor and cannabis board's move closely follows their decision to allow companies to provide free beer, wine, or a cocktail to those providing proof of vaccination. The board confirmed that the new promotional offer will only be valid to joints, and not other products such as edibles. With "Joints for Jabs," Washington becomes the second state after Arizonans to offer free marijuana joints in an effort to encourage people to get vaccinated. An Arizona dispensary had also offered gummy edibles to adults who provided proof of vaccination. Marijuana was made legal in Washington, D.C., in 2015, reported Vox. DC voters approved a ballot initiative that allows adults 21 and older to possess up to two ounces of marijuana, grow up to six plants, and gift up to one ounce of pot to other adults 21 and older.

The state of Washington has fully vaccinated 49% of the people, while 58% have received at least one dose, according to a New York Times database. As promised, the Biden administration had ramped up vaccination in the months following him taking office but the vaccinations dropped drastically in mid-April. Vaccine hesitancy has been a problem in America and states have now embraced new innovative strategies to encourage people to get vaccinated, with some offering free beer, donuts, and even lotteries. Andy Slavitt, a White House virus adviser, said that the Biden administration urged states to get more creative to get people vaccinated and has also enabled them to use federal relief funds to pay for these programs. In late April, it was confirmed that America had successfully administered 200 million vaccinations in the first 100 days of Biden's Presidency, reported NBC News.

Vaccine lottery

Washington is also holding a vaccine lottery with four weekly drawings for $250,000, and one Washingtonian claiming the grand prize of $1 million, reported King 5. The state confirmed that all residents are automatically entered into the drawing if they have received at least one coronavirus vaccination and are in the state Department of Health (DOH) vaccine database. The program is called “Shot of a Lifetime.” All vaccinated residents will be assigned a unique number by the Department of Health before a random number generator will draw up the lucky number. The lucky numbers will be matched with the names in the Department of Health vaccine database before being announced.

The Washington State Lottery officials will contact the winners by phone or email and let them know about it. The winners will only have 72 hours to call back the Washington State Lottery officials, failing which they will be disqualified. The unclaimed prizes will then be placed in the fifth and final drawing. The dates of the drawing are June 8, June 15, June 22, June 29, and July 13. The state officials confirmed that two drawings will be held for residents between the ages 12-17 (June 13 and June 22). Apart from the monetary prizes, the state will also offer other items such as a suite for 16 at a Mariners game, two sets of Seahawk tickets, including parking, 75 XBox game consoles, 5 Nintendo Switch games, 100 state parks Discover Passes, 20 day passes for State Parks, 20 fish, and hunting licenses and 25 Alexa Echo Dots.

Krispy Kreme, Budweiser, Nathan's Hot Dogs are just some of the many companies offering freebies to those getting vaccinated. Those vaccinated can find a list of freebies here. Everyone who's 16 years of age and over is eligible to get a coronavirus vaccination, according to the CDC. You can find vaccination providers near you by visiting VaccineFinder.org. This website will help you find clinics, pharmacies, and other locations near you that offer coronavirus vaccines in the United States. You can also check your local pharmacy’s website to see if vaccination appointments are available.

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