Washington State Offers “Joints for Jabs”

State of Mind

Efforts to convince people to get vaccinated against Covid-19 have seemingly taken all forms. There are now McDonald’s drive-thru locations where one can order a vaccine with their Big Mac. Numerous state and local lawmakers have also opted to hold lotteries for cash and prizes. It’s somewhat of a “whatever gets it” done moment, which is why Washington State now has cannabis on the mind.

As of June 7, state officials confirmed that licensed marijuana stores across the state of Washington will be allowed to offer free joints as a means of promoting on-site Covid-19 vaccine clinics. The program, which the state’s Liquor and Cannabis Board is calling “Joints for Jabs,” will permit for licensed, retail adult-use marijuana shops to give away one pre-rolled joint to any person over the age of 21 who gets a shot at an on-site vaccine clinic. For now, the offer is expected to last until July 12.

A Small But Psychedelic Triumph for Texas

It’s rare to hear good news on the drug reform front when it comes to Texas. That’s why Republican Gov. Greg Abbott’s recent choice to allow a bill which will mandate the state to study the medicinal benefits of certain psychedelics for military veterans with PTSD is significant. Notably, Abbott chose to allow the bill — which will require the state to study the medical risks and benefits of psilocybin, MDMA and ketamine for military veterans — to become law without actually signing it.

Regardless of how it happened, the success of the bill brings with it the potential for some fairly radical reform. According to Marijuana Moment, the study, which will be conducted in partnership with Baylor College of Medicine as well as a separate, military-focused medical center, “also mandates a clinical trial into psilocybin for veterans with PTSD, in addition to a broader review of the scientific literature on all three substances.”

QUICK HITS

• Connecticut joined the party by becoming the latest state to legalize recreational cannabis for adult-use.

• In a 5-2 decision, Florida’s Supreme Court rejected an initiative to get recreational cannabis on the state’s 2022 ballot, citing “misleading language.”

• Rhode Island’s Senate has passed a marijuana legalization bill, which now joins separate plans from Gov. Dan McKee and the House. It sounds like progress is on the horizon, regardless of which piece of legislation gets it done.