<p>The US state of Washington is offering "joints for jabs," in the latest innovative bid to get more Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 as inoculation rates continue to slow.</p>.<p>Cannabis dispensaries in the northwestern state -- where recreational marijuana sales were legalized in 2012 -- will be allowed to offer one free, pre-rolled joint to anyone aged 21 or above who gets vaccinated at an in-store clinic.</p>.<p>The move follows a decision last month to allow bars and other liquor licensees to provide one free alcoholic drink to adults in Washington state who receive their jabs within a six-week "window."</p>.<p>Just over half of Washington state adults (54 percent) have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine so far, according to recent health department figures.</p>.<p>But the pace of inoculations has slowed down across much of the country in recent weeks, leading to a flurry of measures to encourage more uptake.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/after-service-charge-cap-heres-how-much-youll-have-to-pay-for-covid-19-vaccine-at-private-hospitals-995271.html" target="_blank">After service charge cap, here's how much you'll have to pay for Covid-19 vaccine at private hospitals</a></strong></p>.<p>Several states including California and Ohio have operated vaccine "lotteries" offering cash prizes or college scholarships to randomly selected vaccine recipients.</p>.<p>Other inducements have included free sports tickets, airline flights and beers, while an Arizona cannabis dispensary has already experimented with giving free products to those receiving jabs.</p>.<p>Washington state's temporary "joints for jabs" exemption -- which was requested by cannabis retailers, with participation optional for each vendor -- will run until July 12.</p>.<p>President Joe Biden has set a target of getting at least one vaccine shot into the arms of 70 percent of American adults by July 4 -- the nation's Independence Day.</p>.<p>According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the current figure stands at 63.7 percent.</p>
<p>The US state of Washington is offering "joints for jabs," in the latest innovative bid to get more Americans vaccinated against Covid-19 as inoculation rates continue to slow.</p>.<p>Cannabis dispensaries in the northwestern state -- where recreational marijuana sales were legalized in 2012 -- will be allowed to offer one free, pre-rolled joint to anyone aged 21 or above who gets vaccinated at an in-store clinic.</p>.<p>The move follows a decision last month to allow bars and other liquor licensees to provide one free alcoholic drink to adults in Washington state who receive their jabs within a six-week "window."</p>.<p>Just over half of Washington state adults (54 percent) have received at least one dose of a Covid-19 vaccine so far, according to recent health department figures.</p>.<p>But the pace of inoculations has slowed down across much of the country in recent weeks, leading to a flurry of measures to encourage more uptake.</p>.<p><strong>Also read: <a href="https://www.deccanherald.com/national/after-service-charge-cap-heres-how-much-youll-have-to-pay-for-covid-19-vaccine-at-private-hospitals-995271.html" target="_blank">After service charge cap, here's how much you'll have to pay for Covid-19 vaccine at private hospitals</a></strong></p>.<p>Several states including California and Ohio have operated vaccine "lotteries" offering cash prizes or college scholarships to randomly selected vaccine recipients.</p>.<p>Other inducements have included free sports tickets, airline flights and beers, while an Arizona cannabis dispensary has already experimented with giving free products to those receiving jabs.</p>.<p>Washington state's temporary "joints for jabs" exemption -- which was requested by cannabis retailers, with participation optional for each vendor -- will run until July 12.</p>.<p>President Joe Biden has set a target of getting at least one vaccine shot into the arms of 70 percent of American adults by July 4 -- the nation's Independence Day.</p>.<p>According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the current figure stands at 63.7 percent.</p>