Red tape ruins Joints for Jabs deployment in Washington

“Why can’t we do this like the wineries and breweries did? ”

Author of the article:

Sam Riches

Release date :

June 10, 2021 • 24 minutes ago • 3 minutes to read • Join the conversation

In a meeting with the state Alcohol and Cannabis Board on Wednesday, retailers expressed concern over lack of space to operate vaccination clinics while some healthcare providers fear their federal funding won’t run dry if they get involved in the program. / Photo by Getty Images

Time is also running out.

People who receive their first injection from mid-June to the end of June will not have the chance to receive a second, as the program is scheduled to expire on July 12. According to Seattle’s KING-TV, no known dispensary was participating in the program as of June 8.

Less than half of Washington state residents between the ages of 18 and 34 are fully immunized, according to the Washington Department of Health.

The “Joint for Jabs” program is just one of the incentives the state offers residents. Others include lottery draws, sports tickets, tuition aid, gaming systems, plane tickets, and pints of beer.

Cannabis retailers noted at the meeting that breweries, wineries and bars are able to offer a free drink to customers who simply show proof of vaccination.

“Why can’t we do this like the wineries and breweries did? Said Aaron Pickus, spokesperson for the Washington CannaBusiness Association. “We hear from retailers that they want to be a part of this.”

Chairman of the board, David Postman, said that unlike alcohol suppliers, customers cannot consume cannabis at the point of purchase. The requirement that cannabis retailers host clinics has been partially implemented so that enterprising individuals cannot go shopping for shopping and acquire lots of free joints, some of which could potentially end up in the hands of young people, he said.

“I guess I’m just asking for a little understanding,” Postman said. “If that’s not the right thing, then it will be a shame because I think we all need to get as many people vaccinated as possible.”

Postman added that Washington Gov. Jay Inslee thought the program was a great idea. But the deployment turned out to be difficult.

“If we trust the adults who drive with their immunization records to get a pint of beer and then responsibly drive to their next destination, we can also be sure that the adults will take a joint and enjoy it later in one. legal framework ”, explained Daniela Bernhard. , who co-owns Uncle Ike’s dispensary in Seattle.

“Our legal and heavily regulated industry continues to be treated differently from our peer industries in Washington,” added Bernhard.

She also noted that two health care providers had previously turned down an offer to host an immunization clinic at Uncle Ike’s.

“We would not be able to provide a vaccine due to concerns about federal funding,” said a spokesperson for the Spokane Regional Health District. PA.

In January, cannabis reform group DC Marijuana Justice (DCMJ) announced it would hand out free bags of local produce. cannabis outside vaccination centers in Washington, DC

“DCMJ believes cannabis should be consumed in a safe and responsible manner, and the pandemic has made it incredibly difficult for many adults to share their locally grown cannabis. When enough adults are vaccinated with the coronavirus vaccine, it will be time to celebrate – not only the end of the pandemic, but the beginning of the end of the cannabis ban in the United States, ”the co-founder said. from DCMJ, Nikolas Schiller.

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