Black Friday & Green Wednesday: How Cannabis Became Part of the Holiday Shopping Season

When November rolls around, most people start thinking about Thanksgiving, Black Friday, and the holiday shopping season. But in the cannabis industry, another shopping tradition has emerged: Green Wednesday.

Taking place the day before Thanksgiving, Green Wednesday has become one of the busiest days of the year for cannabis dispensaries. What started as a noticeable increase in pre-holiday purchases has grown into a major retail event, complete with special promotions and opportunities to explore new products.

What Is Green Wednesday?

Green Wednesday falls on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, which is November 25 in 2026. Much like Black Friday, it has become an occasion for retailers to offer promotions and for customers to shop ahead of the holiday weekend.

The tradition developed after dispensaries began noticing an increase in purchases just before Thanksgiving. Customers were preparing for time off, holiday gatherings, and a long weekend, while dispensaries responded with seasonal offers.

Green Wednesday has established itself as a cannabis shopping tradition, with its growing popularity among consumers and retailers year after year.

How Big Has Green Wednesday Become?

Green Wednesday is now one of the cannabis industry’s most significant shopping days, often ranking just behind 4/20.

According to retail data reported by Retail Brew, dispensary sales on Green Wednesday in 2024 were 91% higher than on a typical Wednesday, with the average transaction reaching $70.80.

That increased activity reflects how cannabis has become part of the broader holiday shopping calendar. Just as consumers plan ahead for Thanksgiving meals or look forward to Black Friday shopping, many cannabis customers now anticipate seasonal dispensary promotions.

Where Does Black Friday Fit In?

Although Black Friday is traditionally associated with electronics, clothing, and holiday gifts, cannabis retailers have increasingly embraced the occasion as well.

For dispensaries, the days surrounding Thanksgiving offer an opportunity to introduce customers to different brands, highlight popular products, and provide seasonal savings.

Green Wednesday and Black Friday serve slightly different purposes. Green Wednesday centers on shopping ahead of Thanksgiving, while Black Friday extends the promotional excitement into the holiday weekend.

Together, they’ve created a new shopping tradition within the legal cannabis market.

Celebrate the Holiday Shopping Season With Aroma Hill

Whether you’re familiar with Green Wednesday or hearing about it for the first time, Thanksgiving week is a great opportunity to explore what’s available at your local dispensary.

At Aroma Hill, customers can browse a wide selection of cannabis products, discover new brands, and take advantage of available promotions throughout the holiday season.

Visit your nearest Aroma Hill location or browse our online menu to explore current offerings and get ready for Green Wednesday and Black Friday!