'Joints For Jabs': Washington OKs Pot Shop Vaccine Incentives

OLYMPIA, WA — Washington's Liquor and Cannabis Board has authorized the state's licensed marijuana sellers to offer one free joint to people who get vaccinated inside a pot shop. The temporary rules, in place until July 12, come with a laundry list of caveats and narrowly allows giveaways only for customers participating at in-store clinics.

The board said it OK'd the "Joints for Jabs" program after hearing from multiple marijuana retailers looking to help boost the state's vaccination efforts.

Here's how it works:

• Pot shops are allowed to provide a single pre-roll joint to customers 21 and older who receive a first or second dose of a COVID-19 vaccine during a clinic hosted at the retail location. No other products are authorized for giveaways, and all freebies must be associated with the clinic.
• The giveaway must happen during the same visit and cannot be done outside the clinic's operating hours.
• All pot shop vaccine clinics must adhere to regular age restriction requirements.
• Retailers must purchase the product at wholesale from a licensed producer or processor.
• Pot shops will have to keep a record of all products they use for the promotion.
• Advertising for the giveaways will be allowed through July 12, but it must comply with existing regulations on marijuana marketing.

The joint giveaways join Washington's growing stable of vaccination incentives as the state makes a final push to reach the vaccination threshold for reopening early. Last month, the Liquor and Cannabis Board announced "Pints for Pokes," allowing bars and restaurants with liquor licenses to provide one free alcoholic beverage to customers who show proof of vaccination through the end of June. Washington's recently announced lottery program kicks off Tuesday, providing random prizes for vaccinated residents via five upcoming drawings.