Vol. 7, No. 47, November 27, 2025

Welcome to Senior Cannabis Digest. This week we look at how to make cannabis part of your Thanksgiving celebration, how to talk to your family about cannabis, tips on taking advantage of Green Wednesday and much more. Happy Green Wednesday if you observe the holiday and have a Happy Thanksgiving.

Cannabis Quote of the Week
“Thanksgiving is one of America’s most cherished holidays, but it also ranks among the most stressful. Family dynamics, hours of cooking, crowded homes, and the pressure of hosting can create tension before the turkey even hits the table. As attitudes around marijuana continue to shift, many adults are turning to it as a healthier, calmer way to manage the holiday’s emotional demands… From macrodosing for anxiety relief to choosing gummies over cocktails, cannabis is increasingly becoming part of the modern family coping toolkit.”—Sarah Johns

Ms. Johns’s comments are taken from an article she penned for the online publication The Fresh Toast. In it, she cites stress management as one of the biggest reasons people incorporate cannabis into holiday gatherings. 

Writes Johns, “The practice of macrodosing—using a moderate, intentional dose which is stronger than microdosing but still well below the level associated with being fully “high”—has gained traction for its ability to reduce anxiety without impairing social function. Unlike microdosing, which typically offers subtle effects, macrodosing provides a more noticeable sense of calm and emotional balance.”

Johns adds that for many adults, especially those navigating big personalities or long-standing family tensions, this controlled approach can help to create a smoother, more relaxed holiday experience.

She also points to the growing shift away from alcohol as another reason for the increased interest in cannabis, noting that a growing number of holiday hosts are now offering cannabis gummies or low-dose edibles as a “calmer alternative” to alcoholic beverages. 

Said Johns, “Whether it’s helping reduce anxiety, easing family tensions, preventing arguments, or offering a healthier alternative to alcohol, cannabis is proving it can bring a little more peace to the holiday table.”

Sarah Johns does a masterful job of describing how a growing number of adults are making cannabis a part of their Thanksgiving celebration. You can learn much more by reading her article in the November 21, 2025 issue of The Fresh Toast.com.

https://thefreshtoast.com/culture/how-cannabis-can-help-a-family-thanksgiving/

Cannabis and all the Trimmings

As we noted in the previous story, for many, Thanksgiving can be a stressful occasion. One cousin will stir the political pot while another will question your fashion choices and a third will ask whatever happened to your ex. And that’s in just the first five minutes.

Some individuals will deal with the stress such questions can cause by consuming cannabis before they show up for Thanksgiving dinner. Others will make cannabis consumption part of their Thanksgiving meal by bringing along a THC seltzer or two.

Should your family members have questions about that distinctive beverage you’re sipping between bites of stuffing, Cycling Frog, the makers of a wide variety of hemp-based beverages and edibles, has put together a guide to talking to family members about THC and all things cannabis.

Here are a few of their suggestions.

If they say… Is that marijuana? You can say… It’s a THC seltzer. Kinda like a hard seltzer, but less sugar and no hangover

If they say… Why not just have a beer? You can say… Beer makes me tired and bloated. This just makes me chill.

If they say… So, does it get you high? You can say… Yeah, but its more relaxing than intoxicating.

If they say… Is that even legal? You can say… Yes, and I even scanned the QR code like a responsible person.

If they say… I don’t get why anyone needs that stuff. You can say… For the same reason people need bubble baths and reality TV .

(silent judgmental stare)… You can say… Don’t worry, it’s not contagious.

If they say… You’re really bringing drugs to dinner? You can say… I also brought mashed potatoes.

If they say… Isn’t this a slippery slope? You can say… Yeah, into a hot bath and a better night’s sleep.

And if your cousin Sandy asks if he or she can have a sip, or two, the folks at Cycling Frog suggest the following.

• Start small. Offer a personal low-dose option (2–5mg) and make sure he or she knows what to expect.
• Set the vibe. Pair it with snacks, comfy seating, music, or a game. Something easy and fun.
• Don’t mix cannabis with booze. If you’ve piqued their curiosity after they’ve already had a few drinks, now is not the time to introduce THC. People under the influence cannot consent to anything. Plus, mixing the two can make people feel sick, too high, or generally weird, and that one bad experience might turn them off for good.
• No pressure. Ever. If someone says “no,” that’s a complete sentence. Some people just aren’t into it, and that’s totally fine.

All of these tips come from an article on Cycling Frog’s corporate blog titled “A Guide to Talking to Your Family about THC.” The company is a strong advocate for educating consumers about responsible consumption and the blog is full of useful information for consumers. For more tips, click on the link that follows.

https://cyclingfrog.com/blogs/news/a-guide-to-talking-to-your-family-about-thc

Consumer Corner

Much like the observation of 420 in the spring, Green Wednesday is a cannabis-specific celebration that takes place every year on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Some say the “holiday” started in 2017 when a cannabis delivery company noted the drastic rise in cannabis sales the day before Thanksgiving.
While that origin story may be apocryphal, there is no question that mature consumers who are also savvy shoppers will head to their local dispensary in search of holiday deals. Again, according to Weedmaps, in 2024, retail orders grew by 46 percent and retailers saw a spike in revenue of 53 percent when they compared Green Wednesday activity to the Wednesday of the previous week.

To help you get the most out of your Green Wednesday shopping, here are some tips from Weedmaps on how to get the most out of what has become the Black Friday of cannabis.

• Budget: The holiday season can be financially taxing. Set a budget so you can shop for your favorite products without breaking the bank.

• Pick a place: Whether you have a go-to dispensary or you want to shop somewhere new, have a dispensary in mind so you’re not scrambling at the last minute.

• Consider delivery: Visiting family out of town? Traveling without a car? Browse dispensaries that deliver in your area and stock up without leaving the house — perfect for avoiding crowded stores during the busiest shopping week of the year.

• Stock up: With some of the year’s best deals happening on Green Wednesday, stocking up won’t be hard. Pick a variety of products so there’s something for everyone at the table.

To learn more about Green Wednesday — and another cannabis holiday called Danksgiving, which is observed on the Sunday after Thanksgiving — we urge you to read the article from the folks at Weedmaps, which was published on November 13, 2025. Simply click on the following link.

https://weedmaps.com/learn/cannabis-and-its-evolution/green-wednesday

Cannabis News and Notes

The buying habits of Gen Z customers are reshaping the legal retail cannabis experience — and that can be good news for mature consumers and others who make cannabis part of their wellness and self care program.

According to Sallie Blackmon, reporting for MJBizDaily, retailers are finding that, in general, Gen Z customers tend to be intentional in their relationship with cannabis. Said one retailer, “They’re treating cannabis as part of self-care, budgeting carefully, watching for deals. Honestly, it’s part of the young American experience.”

Blackmon notes that GenZ customers (ages 21 to 27) also tend to be more educated about cannabis, asking retailers about a product’s cannabinoids, terpenes and specific effects before making a purchase and seeking lighter, more controlled consumption.

For example, Blackmon reports that THCV, often referred to as a secondary cannabinoid, is being marketed by some retailers as a functional THC focus aid in order to appeal to Gen Z customers. In a similar manner, CBG, viewed by many as a mood-lifting alternative to pharmaceutical prescription drugs such as SSRIs, has become particularly popular among this group.

Blackmon also points out that to respond to these trends, retailers are changing their merchandising. For instance, she reports the retailer The Higher Path has created a dedicated low-dose section in response to rising demand for predictable, low-intoxication products. Another retailer reports larger-format preroll jars sell well to younger adults seeking lighter social effects, anxiety relief or a focused boost.

Blackmon believes Gen Z’s buying habits have created space for new conversations with retailers, more informed customers and a broader range of products that meet the needs expressed by consumers. 

That means, she contends, stores that lean into education and effect-based merchandising may find that these expectations support steadier, more predictable demand. At the same time, brands that design their products around value, control and purpose may be best positioned as this generation grows into full purchasing power. 

We believe this approach will also help cannabis companies address the concerns of mature cannabis consumers, who, increasingly, are taking responsibility for their own wellness and self care.

Sallie Blackmon’s reporting is top notch and illuminates an important industry trend that’s likely to benefit mature consumers in the near future. To learn more, we urge you to read her article in the November 24, 2024 issue of MJBizDily.com.

https://mjbizdaily.com/how-gen-zs-buying-habits-are-reshaping-legal-cannabis-retail/?