The Thanksgiving season is full of unofficial holidays: Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday. Now there’s another holiday to add to the list, and it’s called Green Wednesday. This pre-long-weekend shopping day has only been around for five years, but it’s already known for smashing marijuana sales records in states that have legalized cannabis for adult-use.

Green Wednesday takes place the day before Thanksgiving, and has become a day for cannabis consumers to visit their local dispensary before the long holiday weekend. While nothing has yet to top 420 (April 20) in cannabis sales, Green Wednesday has become a close second. In 2020, dispensaries saw an 80% increase in sales the day before Thanksgiving, leading to a record $238 million during the 2020 Thanksgiving weekend. Sales also saw increases in 2018 and 2019.

The term “Green Wednesday” is thought to have been coined by a cannabis delivery service in 2016 when they noticed a large increase in sales on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. While dispensaries across the country typically see more traffic throughout the holiday weekend, it’s the day before Thanksgiving that really brings out the cannabis shoppers.

There are plenty of theories around why that is - picking up medical cannabis prescriptions before dispensaries close, purchasing products to consume at festive gatherings, etc. - but, no matter the reason, sales typically see a drastic increase on this day.

Whether you’re a medical patient, a dispensary regular, or a cannabis newbie, there are a few things to keep in mind when pre-Thanksgiving shopping to help you get the best deal or find new products.

New Strains: Cannabis companies have started to take advantage of the notoriety of the “holiday” to build buzz around new cultivars (strains) and products. Some states allow dispensary discounts and offers, and others permit companies to create reward programs for members-only perks and points. Find out what your home state allows, and use this as an opportunity to try something new.

Marijuana Beverages: Marijuana beverages have taken off over the past year, making it a hot product for the holidays. Cannabis market data company Headset reported that cannabis beverage sales increased +161.2% on 4/20/2021, compared to the previous four Tuesdays.

Low-Dose Edibles: While some cannabis consumers are looking for the highest amount of THC money can buy, microdosing is also growing in popularity. Microdosing - a way of experiencing THC in small amounts without feeling incapacitated - is easier with edibles, largely because it’s easier to buy smaller doses or cut the product into smaller pieces.

Whether you’re a cannabis newbie, a seasoned pro, or a medical-use patient, Green Wednesday is a good time to shop for products before the holiday weekend. Visit a dispensary near you, and one of our experts will help you find the right products for your Thanksgiving needs.