Green Wednesday: Like Black Friday… But Better!
Thanksgiving is just around the corner, and the Cannabis world knows what that means…
It’s time for Green Wednesday!
I’m not a really big shopper, but I morphe into one on Green Wednesday.
What is Green Wednesday, you might ask?
We’ve all heard of Black Friday and Cyber Monday… And yes, dispensaries offer sales on those days too, but nothing like what they offer on Green Wednesday. It’s basically the Cannabis world’s “Black Friday”. A day where dispensaries/delivery services offer incredible deals on some of the community’s favorite Cannabis products. Just in time for you to stock up before the next days Thanksgiving feast. (Some say it’s a popular sales day because many dispensaries close for the long weekend, and that’s the real reason consumers stock up… But I like to think it’s more about getting super stoney and REALLY hungry before people dive into all the delectable Thanksgiving eats.)
The Numbers Don’t Lie, People Love Green Wednesday
From what I can find, no one really knows the original creator of the day. Many attribute its beginnings to the company Eaze, who began advertising for the big sales day back in 2016. But Eaze hasn’t taken credit for the Holiday, so the actual origin remains a mystery.
Regardless of the origin, Green Wednesday is racking up big numbers.
According to Nasdaq, reports from 2022 show a Green Wednesday sales increase of 16% between 2021 and 2022, grossing about $116.4 dollars in 2022. Trumped only by the stoner communities favorite Holiday, 4/20. Fun fact from the study they sited: My generation (I’m 35) proved to be the prolific Green Wednesday shoppers compared to other age groups:
- Under 30 years old: 26.6%
- 30-40 years old: 31%
- 40-50 years old: 21.3%
- 50-60 years old: 11.8%
- Over 60 years old: 9.3%
Oddly proud of my generation for being such savvy shoppers… And for presumably consuming more than other age groups. (Take that people in your 20s!)
Legal Cannabis is Expensive, So Take Advantage of These Deals!
Let’s be real, legal Cannabis is expensive. In CA, for example, you are taxed at different rates depending on what city you are in. Here in the Bay Area, especially in cities like San Francisco and Oakland, quality Cannabis can definitely come with a high price tag. Add in the ridiculous amount of taxes we have to pay, and you can break the bank pretty quickly.
(It’s really no wonder why the “traditional” market will never, ever be a thing of the past. No crazy taxes when you buy from the farmer/homie… But that topic is best saved for another story…)
These high prices make events like Green Wednesday a day that some of us actually look forward to all year round. I start keeping an eye out for deals as soon as the Thanksgiving holiday approaches. Keeping tabs on my favorite brands, and looking out for my preferred shops posting any advertisements regarding the sales day.
A few shops in the Bay Area that I KNOW will be offering deals:
Medithrive
Store front/Delivery in SF: (415) 562-6334
1933 Mission Street San Francisco, CA 94103
East Bay Delivery: (925) 289-9901
Located in the Mission District in San Francisco, Medithrive is truly one of my favorite dispensaries. Great selection, friendly and knowledgeable staff… You will never be disappointed when you visit Medithrive! They offered some CRAZY deals last year… I got a ridiculous amount of products for just over $100. Lots of products at damn near wholesale price, available in store or delivered to your home!
Flore Dispensary
258 Noe Street San Francisco, CA 94114
(415) 236-2663
Located in the historical and fabulous Castro district of San Francisco, Flore brings a little slice of Humboldt to the colorful but sometimes hectic city. Flore always offers great prices, and their staff is seriously amazing. The owner, Terrance Alan, is a dear friend to the PayRio team, and is also a Cannabis Community LEGEND. I always recommend a stop at Flore. (Check out the For:20 Minutes piece I wrote on Flore, Terrance, and the impact the LGTBQ+ community has had on Cannabis legalization!)
Jane Dispensary
Santa Rosa: 2074 Armory Dr. Santa Rosa, CA 95401
(707) 615-6420
Cotati: 8145 Gravenstein Hwy. Cotati, CA 94931
(707) 714-0420
Recognized as the “2023 Best New Dispensary in the North Bay,” JANE operates with a dedication to community, education, and celebrating local products. Located in the heart of Sonoma County with locations in Santa Rosa and Cotati, JANE offers a carefully curated collection of premium cannabis products in a welcoming environment. As a women-led and operated establishment, JANE prioritizes strong community connections, inclusivity, and an unwavering commitment to showcasing the best the region has to offer. They offer fantastic deals every day, and Green Wednesday is no different. You’ll find some great BOGO deals on brands like: Wonderbrett (1/8ths), Space Gems, Loudpack, Jetty, Sense, Sauce, Bear Labs, and more! Be sure you check them out!
The shops above are also PayRio customers, so you can use your Debit or Credit Cards there and REALLY stock up!
To find a shop or deals on specific brands near you, I strongly recommend using websites like Weedmaps or Leafly. They have an extensive index of shops and manufacturers, helping you find exactly what you are looking for. Also, if you’re on the hunt for some great Cannabis apparel, give Ken Ahbus a gander. They have already advertised a Green Wednesday sale, and I really love the gear I’ve bought from them in the past. (I’m wearing one of their shirts in the picture above.) I HIGHLY suggest giving them a try!
And since Thanksgiving is the next day, let’s all be Thankful for how incredibly lucky we are. Especially if you live in a Cannabis-legal state. There are people currently serving 30+ year sentences in prison in some states (including our own) for something we can now get delivered right to our front door. We can’t forget their sacrifice, and we CANNOT stop working to give them their lives back.
Personally, I am incredibly thankful for Cannabis. For being able to write this blog, for being a part of the PayRio team, and being able to provide safe, reliable payment solutions for Cannabis professionals…
And most of all, for the amazing community of friends that Cannabis has brought me.
I am genuinely and unceasingly Thankful for each and every one of you.