Arizona Covid Vaccine Incentives Free Marijuana Desserts And Other Promotional Offers

During the COVID-19 vaccination rollout, businesses across the United States implemented various incentive programs to encourage individuals to get vaccinated. In Arizona, several unique promotional offers emerged, with cannabis dispensaries leading the way in providing distinctive rewards. This article examines the specific incentives available in Arizona, focusing on the most notable programs, their requirements, and their role in the broader vaccination effort.

Arizona's Approach to Vaccine Incentives

Arizona implemented several incentive programs to encourage COVID-19 vaccination among its residents. By June 2021, over 2 million Arizonans were considered fully vaccinated, according to the Arizona Department of Health Services. The state offered vaccine appointments at various sites including Glendale, Flagstaff, Mesa, Scottsdale, Tempe, Tucson, and Yuma, with nearly 60,000 doses still available at these locations during that period.

Unlike other states that offered large cash prizes, vacations, or scholarships, Arizona's approach was relatively modest in comparison. As noted in one source, "Arizona, meanwhile, has been a bit more tempered. About the biggest incentive we've offered so far (other than free marijuana at a Mesa dispensary) is Pima County handing out state lottery scratch-off tickets to see how well that works." This suggests that Arizona prioritized smaller, more accessible incentives over grand prizes.

The state also utilized large vaccination sites such as the Tempe-based Desert Financial Arena, which administered vaccines daily from 7 a.m. to 5 p.m., helping to maintain vaccination momentum as eligibility expanded.

The Mint Dispensary's "Snax for Vaxx" Program

One of the most distinctive vaccine incentive programs in Arizona was implemented by The Mint Cannabis Dispensary. The dispensary launched a "Snax for Vaxx" initiative that offered free cannabis products to individuals who received COVID-19 vaccinations at their locations.

The program operated in multiple phases. Initially, during March 2021, The Mint offered a free cannabis edible to anyone who had received one or both COVID vaccine shots. The promotion was available to both medical marijuana patients and recreational customers aged 21 and older. No purchase was necessary, and individuals only needed to present their valid COVID-19 vaccination card to receive the free edible.

The dispensary expanded this initiative by partnering with Commerce Medical Group to offer free, on-site vaccinations at their three Phoenix-area locations. Those vaccinated at these clinics and who were 21 years of age or older could receive a free pre-rolled joint and an edible cannabis gummy. The vaccination clinics were set up in small examination buildings behind the dispensaries that were previously used for medical marijuana certifications.

The Mint's locations participating in this program included: - Tempe location (5210 S. Priest Drive) - Mesa location (330 E. Southern Avenue) - A newer location at 17036 N. Cave Creek Road (opened in March 2021)

The Mint is known for its publicity initiatives surrounding cannabis. As an example of their promotional approach, the dispensary reportedly planned to sell a doughnut containing 3,000 milligrams of tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), the psychoactive element of cannabis, in celebration of National Doughnut Day.

Other Food and Beverage Incentives

While The Mint's cannabis offerings were unique to Arizona, several national food and beverage chains provided incentives that were available to Arizona residents. These promotions required proof of vaccination in the form of a physical vaccination card.

Krispy Kreme Doughnuts implemented a nationwide promotion offering anyone with proof of COVID-19 vaccination a free Original Glazed doughnut each day for the remainder of the year. The promotion required individuals to show their physical vaccination card (a sticker did not count) and was available inside the store or through the drive-thru, but not via online ordering or delivery. This promotion was available to anyone who had received at least one or both doses of the Pfizer or Moderna vaccines, or the single-dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

White Castle offered free desserts to individuals who had received their COVID-19 vaccine. The dessert options included: - Gooey Buttercake-on-a-Stick - Fudge Dipped Brownie-on-a-Stick - Fudge Dipped Cheesecake-on-a-Stick - Birthday Cake-on-a-stick

No purchase was necessary to receive these free desserts, though customers needed to present their vaccination card as proof.

In Cleveland, other businesses offered location-specific incentives, such as Chagrin Cinemas providing free popcorn through the end of April to moviegoers with a vaccination card, and Market Garden Brewery offering 10-cent beers to the first 2,021 adults who brought their completed vaccination cards.

Grocery Store Discounts

Several grocery store chains offered discounts to individuals who received COVID-19 vaccinations at their locations. These discounts were part of a broader initiative by businesses to encourage vaccination participation. The following grocery stores offered 10% off a purchase after getting vaccinated at their locations:

• Albertsons
• Carrs
• Haggen
• Jewel-Osco
• Pavilions
• Randalls
• Safeway
• Tom Thumb

Additionally, Target offered a $5 discount on a purchase for individuals who got vaccinated at a CVS pharmacy located inside a Target store.

These grocery store incentives appeared to be part of a coordinated effort, with one source noting, "You're noticing a trend with grocery stores that are participating in the White House's vaccine program?" This suggests that these promotions may have been encouraged or organized at a higher level as part of national vaccination efforts.

Public Health Perspective on Vaccine Incentives

The use of incentives to promote vaccination sparked varied public reactions and debate about their effectiveness and implications. Some sources highlighted the apparent success of such programs, noting that "Vaccine freebies seem to work" and citing examples like Ohio's vaccine lottery, which helped boost COVID-19 vaccine rates by 55% among the hard-to-reach 20 to 49 age group. Some counties reportedly doubled their vaccination rates as a result of such incentives.

However, others expressed concern about what these incentives might say about society's approach to public health. One opinion piece stated, "I hate what this says about us," suggesting that while incentives may be effective, they might reflect negatively on societal values or the perceived need for extrinsic motivation to participate in public health measures.

The effectiveness of incentives appeared to vary by location and demographic. In Arizona, the combination of traditional incentives like scratch-off tickets and more novel offerings like cannabis products seemed to reflect a balanced approach to encouraging vaccination without relying solely on large financial incentives.

Eligibility and Requirements

The various vaccine incentive programs in Arizona had different eligibility requirements, but most shared common prerequisites:

1. Proof of vaccination: Nearly all programs required individuals to present their physical COVID-19 vaccination card. Digital records or stickers were generally not accepted.
2. Age restrictions: For cannabis-related incentives, participants needed to be at least 21 years old, in compliance with Arizona's marijuana laws.
3. Location-specific rules: Some incentives were only available at specific locations or during certain time periods.
4. Vaccine eligibility: Most programs accepted individuals who had received at least one dose of the vaccine, though some required full vaccination.

The vaccination card served as the primary verification method across all programs. No additional identification was typically required beyond the vaccination card itself, though age restrictions for alcohol and cannabis purchases were enforced where applicable.

Conclusion

Arizona's COVID-19 vaccine incentive programs reflected a balanced approach to encouraging vaccination participation. While the state did not implement the large-scale financial incentives seen in some other states, it offered a diverse range of rewards including unique cannabis products from The Mint Dispensary, food items from national chains, and discounts at grocery stores.

The "Snax for Vaxx" program implemented by The Mint stood out for its innovative approach, combining vaccination services with cannabis rewards that appealed to adults in compliance with state regulations. Other businesses like Krispy Kreme and White Castle offered straightforward food incentives that required minimal effort from participants beyond presenting their vaccination cards.

While opinions varied on the use of incentives to promote vaccination, evidence suggested that such programs were effective in increasing vaccination rates, particularly among demographics that were initially hesitant. Arizona's approach, combining traditional incentives with novel offerings, appeared to strike a balance between encouraging vaccination participation and maintaining a tempered response compared to some other states.

As vaccination efforts continued, the incentive programs evolved, with businesses adjusting their offers based on availability, changing guidelines, and public response. The variety of incentives demonstrated both the creativity of businesses in encouraging public health measures and the importance of accessible, appealing rewards in driving vaccination participation.

Sources

1. CNBC - Free with COVID vaccine: Krispy Kreme, marijuana, beer and more
2. ABC15 - 3 freebies you can get with your COVID-19 vaccine card
3. AZCentral - Arizonans get COVID-19 vaccines in exchange for free marijuana joints and edibles
4. AZCentral - Vaccine freebies seem to work. But they are part of what's wrong with America
5. Cheapism - COVID-19 vaccine rollout
6. Thrillist - COVID vaccine freebies and deals 2021
7. Phoenix New Times - Free edibles Phoenix dispensary The Mint March 2021