‘Green Wednesday’ surges as Americans swap alcohol for cannabis ahead of Thanksgiving

OG article by Angelica Stabile

November 26, 2025

"Green Wednesday," the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, has solidified as the cannabis industry's premier pre-holiday sales event, rivaling April 20 in volume and dubbed a "Black Friday" equivalent. Dispensaries nationwide rolled out promotions on pre-rolls, edibles, gummies, vapes, and flower, capitalizing on consumers stocking up for family gatherings, travel, and stress relief.

Data from Oregon-based e-commerce platform Dutchie shows a 91% sales surge on November 27, 2024, versus a standard Wednesday, with average transaction values climbing 9% to over $70. In New York, medical cannabis purchases topped $106 per basket. Dutchie Chief Revenue Officer Spencer Scott attributes the boom to Americans increasingly opting for cannabis over alcohol, fostering a dedicated holiday tradition that emerged in the early 2010s from delivery service spikes.

California chain Catalyst Cannabis calls it a "pilgrimage" for holiday prep. Yet, experts caution against using marijuana for coping, linking it to risks like paranoia, anxiety, and depression. A 2024 Journal of the American Heart Association study ties cannabis to higher heart attack and stroke incidences, exacerbated by THC potency soaring from 1% in the 1960s-1970s to 30% or 95% in concentrates today, per the American Psychological Association.

Health professionals, including Dr. Robert Page, advise knowing dosages, staying hydrated, avoiding impaired driving, and securing products from children and pets to mitigate cardiovascular threats.