Washington state to allow free pot with vaccines
By Reid Wilson - 06/07/21 06:55 PM EDT
The Washington state agency charged with overseeing the legal recreational cannabis market will allow licensed retailers to give free marijuana to those who receive a coronavirus vaccine at in-store vaccination clinics.
In a statement Monday, the Washington Liquor and Cannabis Board said it would temporarily waive rules to allow legal pot retailers to trade a jab for one pre-rolled joint to anyone receiving a first or second dose of the coronavirus vaccine.
The board said it had received several requests from licensed cannabis dealers to hand out free marijuana in an effort to bolster Washington’s vaccination program. The retailers can advertise the giveaways, though they must still abide by strict advertising requirements that limits the way they can hawk their products.
States have dramatically stepped up incentive programs in an effort to speed the acceptance of coronavirus vaccines, even as vaccine demand has slowed.
About half a dozen states are offering lotteries with cash prizes, following the lead of Ohio, where Gov. Mike DeWine (R) implemented the first such program with a $1 million top prize. California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) said last week his state would hand out $116 million in total prizes, including 15 $50,000 awards doled out on Friday.
West Virginia is handing out $100 savings bonds to those under the age of 35 who get an award. Arkansas will give away free hunting and fishing licenses, Illinois is distributing 50,000 tickets to Six Flags parks and Indiana officials are doling out Girl Scout cookie boxes. In Delaware, prisoners who accept a coronavirus vaccine can get a special meal or five days’ credit against their sentences.
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https://thehill.com/homenews/state-watch/557239-washington-state-to-allow-free-pot-with-vaccines
