Nov 28, 2025
Cannabis and Thanksgiving share more cultural overlap than most people realize. This article takes a friendly, informative look at how cannabis shows up in American conversations around the holiday, from the rise of Green Wednesday as a major shopping moment to the well-known “cousin walk” becoming part of pop-culture humor and family storytelling.
You'll learn how cannabis has appeared throughout American history, how shifting attitudes have shaped modern holiday routines, and why the plant continues to spark discussion every November. These cultural touchpoints create a unique window into how adults talk about cannabis in the context of tradition, family, and seasonal celebrations.
We’ll also explore how today’s regulated market has brought more transparency, education, and community-focused conversations to the week of Thanksgiving. As acceptance grows, so do the discussions, making cannabis a recurring topic in holiday culture across generations.
Thanksgiving has become one of the most common times of year for adults to reconnect with friends and family, and that tradition has naturally influenced how cannabis shows up in holiday conversations. As people return to their hometowns, long-standing social rituals—like catching up with childhood friends the night before the holiday—have become part of the broader cultural dialogue around cannabis. Over time, this pre-Thanksgiving period became known in many communities as “Green Wednesday,” a term used to describe the increased interest adults show in learning about cannabis products before the long holiday weekend.
As cannabis legalization expanded across the country, these early-in-the-week traditions sparked new discussions at holiday tables. What was once a topic many avoided has gradually shifted into something families talk about more openly—often in the same way they discuss food, travel, or changing holiday routines. Green Wednesday also drew attention from media outlets and industry analysts who noted higher retail activity during this timeframe, reflecting how the holiday season naturally influences shopping patterns across many regulated markets. These cultural shifts have helped make cannabis a more familiar part of seasonal conversations for many adults.
The holidays naturally bring people together, and with that comes conversations about changing traditions, new hobbies, and the evolving cultural landscape. As cannabis becomes legally available in more states, many adults say they’re simply more comfortable asking questions about it or discussing it with friends they haven’t seen in a while. This openness has made the pre-Thanksgiving week a time when people tend to explore a wide range of topics—including cannabis—within trusted social circles.
Green Wednesday has gained attention in recent years because analysts have noted increased retail activity before the long holiday weekend. Many adults use this time to learn more about regulated cannabis products, review lab results, or explore what’s available in their local market. The trend reflects how cannabis has entered everyday conversations in the same way people talk about food, travel, or other seasonal traditions. As legalization expands, more adults naturally grow curious about the plant, leading to thoughtful discussions rooted in education, transparency, and personal comfort.
As Green Wednesday continues to gain attention across the country, many adults naturally become curious about how cannabis shows up in seasonal conversations and cultural traditions. Treehouse Cannabis supports this curiosity through education rather than promotion—offering clear, label-based information and approachable guidance for adults who want to better understand the plant within New York’s regulated market.
Whether it’s explaining terpene profiles through our Terp Talk Tuesday video series—where Greg, our resident education lead, breaks down different terpenes each week—or helping adults read certificates of analysis, the Treehouse team focuses on providing reliable, factual information. These resources create a welcoming space where adults can learn at their own pace, especially during times of year when people are reflecting on traditions, sharing stories, and reconnecting with friends and family.
Cannabis has woven itself through American cultural narratives far longer than many people realize. Native American communities across the continent incorporated various plants into their ceremonial practices, creating traditions that celebrated community, gratitude, and seasonal abundance. While hemp cultivation became central to colonial agriculture, serving practical needs for rope and textiles, the plant also found its way into folk remedies and social gatherings.
During the 19th century, cannabis tinctures appeared regularly in American medicine cabinets, and social clubs in major cities often included cannabis-infused refreshments at their gatherings. Writers like Fitz Hugh Ludlow documented their experiences with cannabis, weaving these encounters into the broader tapestry of American literary culture. These early references show how the plant existed alongside other herbs and botanicals that families used for both medicinal and social purposes.
Harvest celebrations across different American communities often featured shared meals where various plants played symbolic roles. Cannabis, when present, represented abundance and community connection. These gatherings created spaces where stories were shared, relationships strengthened, and cultural knowledge passed down through generations.
The plant appeared in folk songs, regional recipes, and family traditions that connected people to the land and to each other. These cultural touchstones established patterns that would later influence how modern families approach cannabis during holiday celebrations, creating bridges between historical practices and contemporary customs.
The transformation of cannabis conversations within American families reflects broader cultural changes that began accelerating in the 1960s and continue today. What once existed as whispered references or coded language gradually emerged into open dinner table discussions as social movements challenged existing taboos.
Medical marijuana laws in the 1990s created new frameworks for family conversations. Grandparents who had never spoken about cannabis suddenly found themselves researching CBD for arthritis, while parents navigated questions from curious teenagers. These shifts changed holiday dynamics, as families that once avoided controversial topics began sharing personal experiences and evolving perspectives.
The legal landscape has dramatically altered family dynamics around cannabis. States with recreational legalization report increased intergenerational conversations about responsible use, plant cultivation, and industry developments. Holiday gatherings now include discussions about cannabis businesses, investment opportunities, and local dispensary recommendations alongside traditional family updates.
Social media amplified these conversations, allowing families to witness relatives sharing cannabis-related content, participating in advocacy, or working in the industry. This visibility normalized discussions that previous generations kept private. Family recipes now include cannabis-infused options, and hosts openly discuss pairing cannabis products with traditional holiday foods.
These evolving conversations reflect changing American values around personal choice, medical autonomy, and generational understanding. Families report stronger bonds when they can discuss cannabis honestly, creating new traditions that honor both historical caution and contemporary acceptance.
Many American families are reimagining their Thanksgiving routines, leaning into traditions that feel more grounded, connected, and reflective of modern values. The classic pre-dinner walk has taken on new meaning, becoming a moment for families to get outside, enjoy the crisp fall air, and catch up before the rest of the day gets busy.
These newer traditions take all kinds of forms—some families head to nearby trails, others take a neighborhood stroll to admire the last of the autumn color, and some build in simple outdoor activities like light games or photo walks. For many, it’s also a chance to share gratitude, set intentions for the day, or simply unwind before the cooking and hosting reach full speed.
In states with regulated cannabis markets, adult use has naturally worked its way into broader cultural conversations around Thanksgiving traditions. Rather than focusing on consumption, these discussions often revolve around how adults approach wellness, mindfulness, and personal rituals throughout the holiday season. As more people learn about topics like terpenes, testing standards, and responsible purchasing, Thanksgiving walks and other gatherings have become moments where families talk openly about how cannabis shows up in modern culture—much like they discuss food traditions, regional customs, or shared family history.
Across the country, these evolving traditions point to a bigger shift: adults looking for ways to make Thanksgiving feel more intentional, low-pressure, and centered on genuine connection.
Modern families approach cannabis discussions with unprecedented openness, treating the topic similarly to conversations about alcohol consumption. Parents who grew up during prohibition-era messaging now find themselves educating family members about the realities of regulated cannabis products and their effects.
These conversations typically cover several key areas:
Setting boundaries and expectations for holiday gatherings
Discussing health considerations and potential medication interactions
Establishing guidelines for consumption around children and elderly relatives
Sharing personal experiences with medical or recreational use
Addressing concerns from family members who remain hesitant
Many families create explicit agreements about when, where, and how cannabis might be consumed during gatherings. This might include designating specific areas for use, establishing time windows, or agreeing on consumption methods that minimize odor or visibility.
The generational divide often creates learning opportunities rather than conflict. Adult children frequently educate parents about modern products, dosing, and safety protocols, while older family members share perspectives about changing social attitudes and legal landscapes. These exchanges help normalize cannabis as part of adult lifestyle choices rather than taboo behavior.
Success in these conversations typically depends on approaching the topic with respect, factual information, and genuine concern for everyone's comfort level during the celebration.
Legal dispensaries play an important part in helping adults understand what they’re purchasing, especially around busy holidays when families are shopping and planning for gatherings. New York’s regulated market was built on transparency, and that’s reflected in the labels, testing standards, and information available to every customer who walks through the door.
When adults visit a licensed shop, they can review clear, factual product details right on the packaging. These labels outline things like cannabinoid content, ingredient lists, testing dates, and the names of the laboratories that verified the product. This type of information helps adults compare options using verified data rather than guesswork.
Budtenders support this process by translating what’s on the label and answering questions using information provided directly by manufacturers and testing labs. Whether someone is curious about terpene profiles, product formats, or how to read Certificates of Analysis, staff members guide customers through the basics using factual, label-based information only.
Above all, regulated dispensaries provide consistency and reliability. Every product has been tested, traced, and verified before it reaches the shelf, giving adults peace of mind as they explore their options. It’s a level of clarity that simply wasn’t available before legalization, and it continues to make the shopping experience more transparent and approachable for everyone.
The herbs and spices that define Thanksgiving dinner share remarkable similarities with the aromatic compounds found in cannabis. Sage, rosemary, thyme, and oregano contain many of the same terpenes that create distinctive scents in different cannabis strains. This overlap explains why certain botanical aromas feel so familiar and appealing together.
Traditional Thanksgiving seasonings like sage contain compounds such as pinene and myrcene, which also appear in various cannabis cultivars. The warm, earthy notes of rosemary share terpene profiles with strains known for their piney, herbaceous qualities. Even the citrusy brightness from orange zest in cranberry sauce contains limonene, one of the most recognizable terpenes in both culinary and cannabis contexts.
Part of what makes Thanksgiving food so comforting is the way certain herbs fill the kitchen with warm, nostalgic aromas. Many of those scents come from naturally occurring terpenes — the same aromatic compounds found in a wide variety of plants, including cannabis.
Pinene is behind that fresh, pine-like fragrance you get from rosemary and sage sizzling on the stove. Myrcene brings the earthy, cozy depth found in thyme and bay leaves. And the bright, citrusy lift in lemon and orange zest comes from limonene — a staple in countless holiday recipes.
These terpenes also appear in different cannabis cultivars, which is why some aromas might feel familiar, even if you can’t quite place why. Holiday kitchens and botanical aromatics have more in common than most people realize.
| Terpene | Food Source | Aroma Profile | Where It Appears in Cannabis |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pinene | Rosemary, Sage | Pine, Fresh | Common in pine-forward aromas |
| Myrcene | Thyme, Bay Leaves | Earthy, Musky | Found in naturally herbal scents |
| Limonene | Citrus Peels | Bright, Citrusy | Present in citrus-scented profiles |
| Caryophyllene | Black Pepper, Cloves | Spicy, Warm | Seen in peppery, woodsy aromatics |
Caryophyllene adds that warm, spicy note you smell when cloves or black pepper hit a hot pan — the kind of scent that instantly feels like the holidays. Together, these terpenes help create the layered, homey aromas that make Thanksgiving meals so memorable.
Thanksgiving leftovers have a funny way of getting even more delicious the next day, and a lot of that comes down to aroma. As dishes rest overnight, their herbs and spices mingle and deepen — creating scent profiles that feel surprisingly similar to the natural terpenes found throughout the plant world.
Reheated turkey often releases those cozy, pine-leaning notes from rosemary and sage, while stuffing becomes extra fragrant as thyme and savory spices settle in. These same aromatic compounds appear in a wide range of botanicals, which is why leftover plates can feel so comforting and familiar.
Even cranberry sauce changes character after a night in the fridge. Its bright citrus aromas, often tied to compounds like limonene found in citrus peels, mellow out and make room for richer, jammy notes. Roasted vegetables pick up caramelization that brings out herbal and earthy scents you might not notice fresh out of the oven.
Leftovers are basically a master class in how aromas develop, blend, and evolve — whether you're talking about holiday dishes or the broader world of botanical terpenes.
Treehouse’s Terp Talk Tuesday series makes the world of botanical aromas feel a lot less intimidating. Each week, Greg—Treehouse’s resident education lead—walks viewers through different terpene profiles in a way that feels familiar and down-to-earth. By comparing cannabis aromatics to everyday kitchen herbs, spices, and seasonal ingredients, the series helps adults understand why certain scents feel so recognizable.
Instead of diving into dense chemistry, Greg focuses on simple, approachable explanations. He highlights how the same aromatic compounds that show up in rosemary, citrus peels, basil, and lavender also appear in various botanical sources, including cannabis. This makes it easier for viewers to connect what they smell in their favorite dishes with what they notice in different plant profiles.
Terp Talk Tuesday has become a go-to resource for adults who enjoy learning how aromas develop, blend, and differ from one botanical to the next. It’s educational, welcoming, and designed to spark curiosity without overwhelming anyone with technical terms—perfect for anyone who loves understanding the “why” behind the scents they enjoy.
Conversations about cannabis at family gatherings look very different today. Older generations who once associated the plant with decades-old stereotypes are now more open to learning about it, often out of simple curiosity or exposure to changing laws. At the same time, younger adults feel more comfortable discussing cannabis in factual, grounded ways, creating a level of openness that didn’t exist in previous decades.
Much of this shift comes from how visible cannabis has become in everyday life. News coverage, social media, and regulated dispensaries have brought transparency to a topic that was once surrounded by hush-hush conversations. When family members see articles, educational videos, or friends sharing information online, it naturally sparks questions and dialogue during the holidays.
With more resources available today—like terpene breakdowns, product labeling, and botanical explanations—families often talk about cannabis the same way they might discuss cooking ingredients or gardening. Younger adults tend to share what they’ve learned about aromatics, plant profiles, and how regulated markets work, while older relatives contribute their own perspectives on how attitudes have shifted over the decades.
The result is a more open, respectful environment where curiosity replaces stigma. Many families find these conversations bring generations closer together, turning what used to be a taboo topic into an opportunity for connection and shared understanding.
Holiday gatherings naturally bring different routines, traditions, and preferences, and many adults approach cannabis with the same thoughtful planning they use for food, travel, and family logistics. Personal comfort, familiarity with products, and the dynamics of their holiday setting all play a role in how they navigate the day.
Some adults prefer products that fit seamlessly into busy schedules—especially when cooking, hosting, or traveling. Others look for items that feel appropriate for group settings or quiet end-of-day moments, choosing options they know how to use and feel comfortable having around family.
Discretion and respect for household norms also shape decision-making. Adults staying with relatives may choose items that are easy to store, clearly labeled, and kept out of reach of children or pets. When visiting homes where cannabis isn't typically discussed, many people prioritize being mindful and considerate of those around them.
Quality, transparency, and clear labeling matter as well. Adults often look for regulated products that list ingredients, testing information, and terpene profiles—helping them feel confident and informed when bringing items into a shared holiday environment.
Whether someone incorporates cannabis into their holiday traditions or simply brings it along as part of their personal routine, the process is usually guided by thoughtfulness, preparation, and consideration for the people they’re celebrating with.
The connection between cannabis and Thanksgiving has grown right alongside changing attitudes in the United States. From its long-standing place in American history to the rise of Green Wednesday as a major shopping tradition, the plant now appears in many modern holiday routines in ways that simply didn’t exist a decade ago. Familiar customs—like the classic “cousin walk” or adults sharing infused treats—have become talking points in more households as these conversations move into the open.
As legalization expands and more adults feel comfortable incorporating cannabis into their holiday plans, these traditions will likely continue to evolve. Families are finding new ways to connect, creating moments that reflect both personal comfort levels and the broader cultural shift toward openness. Moving forward, Thanksgiving gatherings may include even more conversations about products, regulations, and personal preferences as cannabis becomes a familiar part of seasonal celebrations.
