This Year’s Thanksgiving Surprise: Half of the Guests Are Stoned

What started as a subversive activity among dedicated stoners has mushroomed into a full-blown tradition. Like every other holiday, it’s gone commercial. With marijuana legal for medicinal use in 40 states and recreational use in more than half of those, the industry is seizing on the popularity of the pre-turkey toke.

This year, don’t be surprised if Grandma gets a little loopy after toasting with a cannabis-infused beverage in her wine glass, or your aunt brings two varieties of stuffing—one made with cannabis-infused rosemary oil, one without. In a way, wasn’t this inevitable for a holiday that’s always been all about the munchies? 

The cousin walk, which also goes by no name and many names—“cousins walk,” “Thanksgiving walk” and “pre-dinner safety meeting”—is big enough to spur sales on what’s now known as “Green Wednesday,” a marijuana-buying version of Black Friday the day before Thanksgiving. Dispensaries say it’s often the second-biggest day for cannabis sales after the pot-celebration day 420 on April 20th.