What Is Green Wednesday?
“Green Wednesday” is the cannabis industry’s version of a holiday — it’s the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, and it’s become one of the biggest sales days of the year for weed. Leafly+2Ganjapreneur+2
Think of it like Black Friday — but for cannabis.
Why It Exists / Its Origins
- The term “Green Wednesday” likely started around 2016, when cannabis delivery services began promoting deals. Leafly
- It wasn’t invented as a “fake holiday” on day one — instead, retailers noticed a consistent spike in sales right before Thanksgiving and leaned into it. Benzinga+224/7 Wall St.+2
- According to the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation, the day built out organically — as more people gather with family, buy ahead for the long weekend, or just want a relaxing way to decompress. IDFPR
Green Wednesday in the Sales Charts
- In 2022, Akerna reported that Green Wednesday sales hit $116.4 million, a 16% year-over-year increase. Nasdaq+224/7 Wall St.+2
- According to Headset (via Cannabis Business Times), some states saw a 48% increase in sales compared to a typical Wednesday in November. Cannabis Business Times
- Weedmaps data shows that on Green Wednesday:
- Total order volume jumped 42% versus an average Wednesday in November. Ganjapreneur
- Edibles were especially hot: orders rose 81% compared to a normal Wednesday. Ganjapreneur
- Vapes and flower also saw big bumps (vape +52%, flower +48%, per Weedmaps). Ganjapreneur
- In 2021, Akerna predicted $90 million in U.S. cannabis sales for Green Wednesday, a 78% spike over typical daily sales. PR Newswire
- Jane Technologies data for Nov 22, 2023: adult-use sales reached $9.21 million, which was an 18.12% increase from the previous year. High Times
- The top-selling categories that day:
- Flower: $3.35M High Times
- Vape: $2.53M High Times
- Edibles: $1.21M High Times
- Pre-rolls: $963K High Times
- Extracts: $449K Marijuana Venture+1
- The top-selling categories that day:
- In some regions, local industry regulators report Green Wednesday pushing weekly sales records. For example: New York’s weekly cannabis sales hit $29 million on a Green Wednesday week in one report. Office of Cannabis Management
What’s Driving the Frenzy?
- Holiday Stress + Family Time: For many people, Thanksgiving is socially intense. Green Wednesday becomes a moment to chill, unwind, and decompress either before or during family gatherings. Benzinga
- Stocking Up for the Weekend: Dispensaries may close or reduce hours for Thanksgiving. Consumers tend to “stock up” for the long holiday weekend. IDFPR
- Deals & Promotions: Like Black Friday retailers, dispensaries offer discounts, bundles, and special promotions to attract buyers. Benzinga+1
- Cultural / Social Rituals: Some talk about the “cousins’ walk” — family members stepping outside for a joint or session during holiday hangouts. Greenway Magazine+2Benzinga+2
- Normalization & Advocacy: It’s not just commercial — Green Wednesday is also a chance to demystify cannabis, reduce stigma, and normalize its place in holiday traditions. Benzinga+1
Why It’s a Big Deal for the Industry
- Second-Biggest Sales Day: Only 4/20 beats it in terms of cannabis sales among “cannabis holidays.” Nasdaq+224/7 Wall St.+2
- Retail & Brand Opportunity: For dispensaries and cannabis brands, Green Wednesday is a golden moment to launch new products, run major promos, and grab new customers. Greenway Magazine+1
- Consumer Behavior Shift: The surge in demand indicates a shift in how people consume cannabis — it’s not just for “special occasions” but integrated into holiday rituals. Benzinga
A Note on When It “Started”
- There’s no single “founding moment” for Green Wednesday: it evolved as the cannabis industry matured and data showed that the day before Thanksgiving had consistently higher sales. Leafly+2Benzinga+2
- According to Illinois regulators, dispensaries simply observed the pattern, named it, and then leaned into the moment with deals. IDFPR
- Some industry observers cite Eaze, a California cannabis delivery company, as one of the first to popularize the term “Green Wednesday.” Leafly
Why It Matters for The Stoner’s Travel Guide
- Cultural Insight: This is a perfect example of how cannabis is becoming woven into American holiday traditions — not just as a recreational product, but as a social and even ritualistic one.
- Travel Angle: If you’re in a legal state over Thanksgiving, visiting a dispensary on Green Wednesday can be its own kind of holiday tradition.
- Advocacy Potential: You can frame Green Wednesday as more than just a sales surge — it’s a moment to educate friends/family, normalize use, and reduce stigma.
- Content Ideas: Spotlight local dispensaries doing big Green Wednesday events and sales, interview people about their “cousins’ walk,” or explore how different states or communities lean into the day.
