National

Washington state marijuana retailers can now offer adult consumers a free joint if they get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the store.

The big picture: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced Monday it was providing a "temporary allowance" to state-licensed cannabis retailers through July 12 for the incentive.

Go deeper: States deploy carrots to drive up coronavirus vaccination rates

Washington state announces free marijuana joint for COVID vaccine incentive

Authorities are providing a temporary allowance to state-licensed cannabis retailers.

A sign directs patients at a COVID-19 vaccination clinic on the University of Washington campus on May 18

Washington State

Washington state marijuana retailers can now offer adult consumers a free joint if they get vaccinated against COVID-19 in the store.The big picture: The Washington State Liquor and Cannabis Board announced Monday it was providing a &quot;<a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="temporary allowance" data-vars-click-url="https://lcb.wa.gov/pressreleases/lcb-allows-joints-for-jabs-promotions" data-vars-content-id="ee80878c-14a1-4d95-8408-306aedea7d58" data-vars-headline="Washington state announces free marijuana joint for COVID vaccine incentive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://lcb.wa.gov/pressreleases/lcb-allows-joints-for-jabs-promotions" target="_blank">temporary allowance</a>&quot; to state-licensed cannabis retailers through July 12 for the incentive.Go deeper: <a class="gtmContentClick" data-vars-link-text="States deploy carrots to drive up coronavirus vaccination rates" data-vars-click-url="https://www.axios.com/states-incentives-prizes-coronavirus-vaccine-e76159cc-7e8b-4835-81f5-04bacd3d264d.html" data-vars-content-id="ee80878c-14a1-4d95-8408-306aedea7d58" data-vars-headline="Washington state announces free marijuana joint for COVID vaccine incentive" data-vars-event-category="story" data-vars-sub-category="story" data-vars-item="in_content_link" href="https://www.axios.com/states-incentives-prizes-coronavirus-vaccine-e76159cc-7e8b-4835-81f5-04bacd3d264d.html" target="_self">States deploy carrots to drive up coronavirus vaccination rates</a>

The U.S. faces a range of health care flashpoints — unaffordable drugs, opioids, vaping — as we debate whether to adopt universal care. For now, the Affordable Care Act is the law of the land, but Republicans want to issue it a final death blow.

Health

After a record economic expansion, the coronavirus pandemic sent the U.S. economy into a recession as unemployment soared to staggering heights. The country now faces urgent questions about how much stimulus is needed for reeling consumers and businesses, and what a recovery might look like.