Cannabis Sales Surge on 'Green Wednesday' Before Thanksgiving
NASHVILLE, Tenn. – As the anticipation for Black Friday builds, hemp businesses are already rolling out discounts and offers in preparation for Thanksgiving.
Dubbed "Green Wednesday," this day has emerged as a top sales day for the cannabis sector. Last year, the eve of Thanksgiving generated $116.4 million in cannabis sales, marking a 16% increase from 2021, as reported by Akerna, a business intelligence firm.
Tennessee, where both medicinal and recreational marijuana use is prohibited, still sees a sales boost. "In the week leading up to Thanksgiving, sales start to climb, much like people stocking up at the grocery store,” shared Kelsey Palmer, co-owner of Consider It Flowers. “It’s all about getting their herbs ready, isn't it?”
Kelsey and Dex Palmer, who launched their cannabis delivery service in Nashville in 2020, have expanded their team and product range to accommodate the seasonal surge.
Dex Palmer describes this period as "the Black Friday of cannabis." The Palmers have noticed that Green Wednesday either surpasses or equals their sales on April 20th or any other day, often drawing in new customers.
“Roughly 30% of our current sales are from new customers," said Kelsey. "It’s a safe, family-filled, and food-rich environment – a perfect setting to try cannabis for the first time."
A 2022 Ayr Wellness study reveals that 24% of cannabis users consume it on Thanksgiving to cope with family tensions, while 65% use it as an alternative to alcohol.
Kelsey noted an upswing in beverage sales at Consider It Flowers, which offers products like CBD, Delta-8, and THCA, mimicking the effects found in states with legal recreational and medicinal marijuana. “You might be more amusing at dinner, but there’s no harm in that,” Dex added.
In May, Governor Bill Lee enacted a law enforcing regulations on hemp-derived products in Tennessee. The legislation mandates third-party lab testing, child-resistant packaging, and restricts sales to those over 21. “This law has further legitimized the industry in Nashville,” Dex said.
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