Quickly rising in popularity and rivaling only the highest of high holidays (420), Green Wednesday is a cannabis-specific celebration that takes place the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. Green Wednesday 2024 is on November 27th.
Akin to the annual Black Friday and Cyber Monday sales promotions, Green Wednesday is a day for consumers to enjoy savings and special deals on many cannabis products. It's a big day for cannabis retailers, too.
Weedmaps saw a 43% increase in orders on Green Wednesday 2023 compared to the Wednesday the week prior.
And in 2022, the holiday brought in an estimated $116.4 million and was the second busiest day of the year after 420.
As more cannabis businesses catch on to the trend and more states start to legalize adult-use cannabis, sales and participation in this aptly named holiday are expected to grow each year.
The origins and history of Green Wednesday
Dubbed the Black Friday of cannabis, Green Wednesday is thought to have started in 2017 when a cannabis delivery company noted the drastic rise in cannabis sales the day before Thanksgiving. While the holiday season typically sees a significant uptick in sales, this particular Wednesday draws people to their local retailers in droves, and for good reason.
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
Most businesses remain closed on Thanksgiving, and many extend their closures until the following Monday. As a result, cannabis enthusiasts stock up on products the Wednesday before Thanksgiving to ensure they have enough for the long weekend's celebrations and gatherings. Similarly, medical cannabis patients often prepare in advance to avoid running out of their meds.
Even if cannabis dispensaries aren't closed through the weekend, the long lines on Black Friday have encouraged cannabis consumers to do their shopping beforehand. Plus, the spread of legalization across the country has created more demand during the holiday season. Friends and family visiting from states where weed isn't yet legal could mean that hosts need more flower, concentrates, or edibles on hand. Out-of-state visitors and special-occasion shoppers will likely shop for cannabis products, too, contributing to a day of heightened sales.
It's no secret that the holidays can be stressful for some — there's a lot to manage between traveling, family visits, and preparing for the holiday. Since many of us find relief from all the hustle and bustle through cannabis, gathering enough provisions for the long weekend has become increasingly common. Cannabis can also help facilitate creativity and conversation, adding an enriching layer to any friend or family gathering.
Danksgiving, anyone?
What is Danksgiving?
Danksgiving used to refer to simply consuming weed on Thanksgiving. Now, it's about a special weed-centric celebration marked by delicious weed-infused foods enjoyed with your friends, family, and fellow cannabis enthusiasts.
Typically occurring on the Sunday after Thanksgiving or at some point during the holiday weekend, Danksgiving has become a day to gather those you love and who love cannabis and eat a hearty meal full of infused dishes. We're talking garlic-herb cannabutter, triple-baked cannabis potatoes, and infused pumpkin pie — not to mention all the different ways you can turn sauces and trimmings into edibles. Needless to say, a Thanksgiving walk (or “cousin walk”) will be in order to prepare for the Danksgiving feast.
As cannabis use over the holidays continues to become the norm, Danksgiving has become more synonymous with Green Wednesday. Part of the reason is the cannabis industry's push to replace Drinksgiving or Blackout Wednesday with what may be a safer alternative — weed.
How to celebrate Green Wednesday
The obvious way to celebrate Green Wednesday is to partake in the sales offered by your local retailer and enjoy your savings and purchases. But Green Wednesday is also a great way to celebrate the legalization of cannabis and enjoy the many forms the plant can take. As the holiday becomes more popular, joining in on the festivities can help soften the stigma associated with the plant and increase awareness of the benefits cannabis provides.
Photo by: Gina Coleman/WeedmapsImage lightbox
Due to the influx of new customers and the higher chance of consumption around friends and family, more discreet and less odorous options, like vapes, edibles, and cannabis-infused beverages, tend to be popular choices for the holiday season. With food being a central part of the holidays, it's no surprise that products like these are popular among those partaking in the celebrations.
How to shop smart on Green Wednesday
- Plan: Prepare for the Black Friday of cannabis by marking your calendar and setting a reminder
- Budget: The holiday season can be taxing on our wallets. Set a budget and put money aside so you can shop for your favorites without breaking the bank
- Pick a place: Whether you have a go-to dispensary or you want to shop somewhere new, have a dispensary in mind so you're not scrambling at the last minute
- Order early: Place a pickup or delivery order on Weedmaps first thing in the morning so you can get the products you want with the best Green Wednesday deals
- Speaking of deals: Dispensaries and brands will be celebrating the cannabis holiday with exclusive once-a-year deals, so be sure to visit our deals page and apply promos and coupons at checkout
- Stock up: With some of the year's best deals happening on Green Wednesday, stocking up won't be hard. Pick a variety of products so there's something for everyone at the table
Green Wednesday and Weedmaps
Weedmaps makes celebrating Green Wednesday easy. Check out our deals page to find all of the cannabis holiday deals in one place. From promo codes to products on sale to nearby dispensary deals, we bring the festivities to you. Sometimes, you can find promotions at the top of a dispensary's storefront page, too.
Visit our help center if you need help applying a Green Wednesday deal to your order.
Bottom line
Green Wednesday is a great time to stock up on goodies and capitalize on once-a-year deals. Ask your budtender about their sales, and treat yourself for the holiday. Whether you need gummies for granny or pre-rolls for your pals, there is likely a Green Wednesday special for you to enjoy.
FAQ
Are dispensaries open on Thanksgiving?
Most dispensaries will be closed on Thanksgiving day, but you can see which dispensaries are open near you by using our app or browsing Weedmaps.
Do dispensaries have Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals?
While most dispensaries focus on Green Wednesday deals, some offer Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals, too, but there's a good chance they won't be nearly as good as the deals on Green Wednesday.
What other holidays celebrate cannabis?
In addition to Green Wednesday and Danksgiving, here are some other holidays that celebrate our favorite plant:
- April 20 - 420
- June 18 - Jack Herer's birthday
- July 10 - 710/Dab Day/Oil and Concentrates Day
- August 8 - National CBD Day
- October 5 - Victims of Prohibition Commemoration
- November 6 - Legalization Day
What are the best Green Wednesday deals?
To find the best Green Wednesday deals, browse Weedmaps' deals to compare discounts and promos across dispensaries. While most dispensaries focus on Green Wednesday deals, some offer additional Black Friday or Cyber Monday deals. However, there's a good chance they won't be nearly as good as the deals on Green Wednesday.
