In the days leading up to Thanksgiving, many Americans are occupied with grocery lists, travel plans, the frenzy of holiday preparation, and of course, Black Friday shopping. At KindPeoples Ocean Street and Soquel Avenue though, our sights are set on a different shopping day: Green Wednesday.
What started as a localized phenomenon in California around 2016 has now spread across the nation’s legal cannabis markets. This cannabis shopping holiday has grown from a niche retail trend into a major industry event. On the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, dispensaries usher in deals that rival 4/20 savings, leaving cannabis lovers buzzing with a fully replenished stash for the holidays.
But Green Wednesday is more than just a day of significant savings. Cannabis, long relegated to the margins of society and legality, has now found its place in the mainstream retail landscape, complete with flash sales, limited-edition products, and major sales events. The holiday’s rise is emblematic of the broader shifts in how Americans use and think about cannabis in their daily lives, and how modern Americans approach both leisure and stress.
But how did Green Wednesday come to be? And what does its rise say about our evolving relationship with cannabis?
When is Green Wednesday?
Green Wednesday began in California around 2016 when dispensaries noticed an unexpected surge in sales on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving. As many Americans prepared to embark on long weekends filled with family, food, and travel, the demand for cannabis products was suddenly higher. Recognizing an opportunity, cannabis retailers began to offer special promotions and discounts to cater to this surge in demand, and thus, Green Wednesday was born. This year, Green Wednesday lands on November 27, 2024. Stay tuned to see what kind of Green Wednesday deals KindPeoples Ocean Street and Soquel Avenue are celebrating with this year.
What is Green Wednesday?
Think of Green Wednesday as the Black Friday of cannabis—the day before Thanksgiving when dispensaries roll out some of the best deals of the year. Whether you’re preparing for a weekend with family, hosting a Friendsgiving, looking to enhance your Thanksgiving meal, or just wanting to unwind after a long day of holiday prep, Green Wednesday is the perfect excuse to stock up on your favorite cannabis products at unbeatable prices.
But why the pre-Thanksgiving rush? The answer, it seems, lay in the familiar holiday anxieties of travel, socializing, and family gatherings. Whether for unwinding from stress, pain relief, or to simply taking the edge off around the dinner table, cannabis became the antidote. A tool to manage holiday stress, ease social anxiety, and add an extra layer of enjoyment to gatherings with family and friends. For those traveling long distances or dealing with the pressures of cooking and hosting, this is the perfect day to stock up on relaxing, sleep-inducing and energizing cannabis products.
While 4/20 may still be the most iconic cannabis holiday, Green Wednesday is right up there. As legalization spread, so did the holiday. By 2017, Green Wednesday had cemented itself as an essential shopping event for dispensaries. No longer a mere footnote in the industry’s sales reports; Green Wednesday had become a focal point for retailers and consumers alike.
Today, Green Wednesday stands shoulder-to-shoulder with the likes of Black Friday and Cyber Monday as a crucial pillar of the holiday retail calendar. What was once an informal sales spike has since transformed into one of the biggest sales days in the cannabis industry, attracting consumers ranging from seasoned cannabis enthusiasts to curious newcomers.
Ease your holiday stress with cannabis:
Thanksgiving has long been a time of both celebration and stress. While it’s a joyful occasion for many; for others, it’s fraught with anxiety and stress. At KindPeoples, we’re firm believers in the many ways cannabis can enhance our lives, both medicinally and recreationally. Whether through the sociability of a shared pre-roll, the relaxation of an edible, or the quietude of a CBD tincture, cannabis can help you and your loved ones maintain a state of ease this holiday season.
As we approach another holiday season, Green Wednesday is a reminder that cannabis is no longer a taboo subject in many households. What was once a symbol of a counterculture has now become part of the everyday routine for millions of Americans. All of us at KindPeoples Weed Dispensary are honored to be a part of the cultural shift, helping people explore natural forms of stress relief without the burden of stigma.
Celebrate the holidays with KindPeoples:
Green Wednesday gives cannabis enthusiasts a chance to take advantage of big discounts on everything from THC gummies to prerolls to weed vapes to cannabis flower and more. To stay up to date with the best Green Wednesday deals in Santa Cruz, make sure to opt into the KindPeoples Dispensary email and text communications. In the meantime, you can shop online or in-person at KindPeoples Ocean Street and Soquel Avenue.