In a bid to accelerate the pace of vaccination, the US state of Washington is offering “joints for jabs,” to encourage Americans to get vaccinated against COVID-19 as inoculation rates continue to slow.

Pharmacies selling cannabis in the northwestern state will be allowed to offer one free, pre-rolled joint to anyone aged 21 or above who takes vaccine jabs at an in-store clinic.

Recreational marijuana sales were legalised in the US state of Washington in 2012.

So far, only 54 per cent or just over half of Washington state adults have been administered one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, according to recent health department figures.

Last month, bars and other liquor licensees were allowed to provide one free alcoholic drink to adults in Washington state if they receive their vaccine doses within a six-week “window.”

Washington state’s temporary “joints for jabs” exemption, requested by cannabis retailers, will run until July 12.

Other inducements for vaccination

With the pace of inoculations slowing down, several states have come up with a slew of measures to encourage more uptake.

California and Ohio have operated vaccine “lotteries” offering cash prizes or college scholarships to randomly selected vaccinated people.

A cannabis dispensary in Arizona offered to give free products to those receiving jabs. Free sports tickets, airline flights and beers are among other inducements being used as bait to get more people vaccinated against coronavirus.

US President Joe Biden has set a target of inoculating 70 percent of American adults with at least one vaccine shot by July 4, the country’s Independence Day.

According to the latest Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data, the current figure is 63.7 percent.