Hosting a “Danksgiving” can be a novel way to celebrate the holidays with friends and family, especially as Ohio ushers in its first Green Wednesday as a legal adult-use state. Infusing traditional Thanksgiving dishes can elevate the dining experience, but it’s essential to approach it responsibly and thoughtfully. MedicateOH compiled some key precautions and tips to ensure your Danksgiving is enjoyable, safe, and memorable for everyone involved.
Hosting a Danksgiving
Hosting a Danksgiving can be a wonderful way to share good food, company, and the unique experience of the effects of cannabis. We gathered these 11 precautions and tips to consider when planning your holiday gathering:
1. Understand Your Audience
Before planning your menu, gauge your guests’ experience levels with cannabis. Ensure that all attendees are comfortable with consuming cannabis-infused dishes and have consented to participate. If you have a mixed group of experienced and novice consumers, consider offering non-infused versions of dishes as well to accommodate all comfort levels.
2. Label Everything Clearly
It’s critical to label dishes that contain cannabis and those that don’t. This precaution helps prevent accidental consumption by guests who may wish to avoid infused foods. Use clear signage or color-coded labels to distinguish infused dishes from their non-infused counterparts.
3. Control the Dosage
One of the most crucial aspects of hosting a successful Danksgiving is dosage control. Use precise measurements when infusing dishes to ensure consistent potency. Beginners should aim for a dose of 1-5 milligrams of THC per serving. Always err on the side of caution to avoid overwhelming your guests. If you’re unsure, start with a lower dose and provide guests with the option to add more using infused condiments or oils.
4. Choose Your Infusion Method Wisely
There are multiple ways to infuse cannabis into your dishes, such as using cannabis butter (cannabutter), infused oils, or tinctures. Each method has its unique characteristics:
- Cannabutter is versatile and works well in baking and savory dishes.
- Infused oils like olive or coconut oil are perfect for drizzling or as a cooking medium for sautéed dishes.
- Tinctures can be added post-cooking for more precise control.
Select the method that best complements the dishes you’re preparing and provides the most control over the infusion process. In Ohio dispensaries, you can also find processed products that come pre-infused, such as oils and powders that are made to add to a beverage or food. Notably, though, you will not typically find non shelf-stable products like cannabutter at local dispos as they need to be refrigerated. Here’s a handy guide for making cannabutter at home.
5. Offer Plenty of Non-Infused Foods and Drinks
While the highlight of your Danksgiving may be the infused dishes, it’d be wise to include an ample variety of non-infused foods, snacks, and beverages. This helps guests pace themselves and ensures that everyone has something to enjoy even if they prefer not to partake in cannabis consumption. Hydration is key, so provide ample water and non-alcoholic beverages.
6. Educate Your Guests
Make sure your guests are aware of how cannabis-infused foods work. Unlike inhaled cannabis, which has a rapid onset, edibles can take anywhere from 30 minutes to 2 hours to take effect. Inform your guests about this delayed onset and encourage them to pace themselves to avoid over-consumption. An informed guest is more likely to have a positive and controlled experience.
7. Provide a Relaxed Atmosphere
Cannabis can amplify sensory experiences, so creating a relaxed and inviting environment is key. Choose soft lighting, calming music, and comfortable seating arrangements to help set the mood. Keep activities light and low-pressure, such as board games, conversation, or even a movie screening, to enhance the laid-back nature of the gathering.
8. Monitor and Be Prepared for Reactions
Despite your best efforts to control dosage, it’s possible that someone may still experience stronger effects than anticipated. Be prepared for this by having CBD on hand, which some believe can help counteract some of the psychoactive effects of THC. Additionally, add to your shopping list a bottle of raw peppercorns and citrus essential oils such as lemon, orange, or grapefruit, which are widely used to try to bring down the buzz.
Additionally, make sure your guests know they can approach you if they feel overwhelmed, and be ready to offer support, such as a quiet, dark space for them to lay down and relax.
9. Avoid Mixing with Alcohol
Combining cannabis with alcohol can intensify the effects of both, which can lead to uncomfortable or even negative experiences for some guests. If you do decide to serve alcohol, consider limiting it or providing mocktails instead. Let guests know the risks of “cross-fading” so they can make informed choices.
10. Plan Transportation and Safety
Ensure that your guests have safe means of transportation home. Arrange for designated drivers, rideshares, or make accommodations for those who may need to stay overnight. Your guests’ safety should be your top priority.
11. Post-Meal Wind-Down
Finally, plan for a cozy post-meal wind-down. Offer desserts (infused or non-infused) along with hot beverages like herbal tea or coffee. This helps to cap off the evening on a soothing note, allowing everyone to settle comfortably before heading home.
Green Wednesday in Ohio: Where are the Sales? ***
Much like its sister holiday 7/10 Oil Day and the High Holiday of cannabis, 4/20, Green Wednesday has grown in popularity since broader legalization. It’s celebrated the day before Thanksgiving, since it’s when many flock to dispensaries across the country to stock up on their favorite products for infused meals and shared family tokes the next day. As legalization has caught fire across the country, so have the Danksgiving-eve sales. Here’s a few we found that may be in your neighborhood, as well as some Black Friday sales you may want to hit after the holiday:
- At Pure Iconic in Oxford & Wyld Skye in Toledo, both medical and non-medical will get 30 percent off on Wednesday, with 35 percent off Bank, Seche, Lab & Tasteology
- Guaranteed Dispensary Dayton: 30% off everything on the menu on Wednesday 11/27 and Friday 11/29.
- Certified Dispensary Cleveland: 11/27: SHOP LOCAL 30% off Ohio brands (Discount is not stackable with Daily Discounts)
- AYR Wellness (Dayton, Goshen, Woodmere): 30% storewide on Green Wednesday (11/27), and 20% off Kynd & HZ Monday through Sunday.
- Curaleaf (Cuyahoga Falls & Newark):
- Green Wednesday 11/27: Early Bird Gift Doorbuster: Get a Puffco Hot Knife or a Select Bag with any purchase of $100+ while supplies last. Limited stock. Grassroots 5.66g of flower – 3 for $100, 5 for $150 Specially Selected Grassroots and Find 14.15g of flower – 35% off, 30% off all Select, Grassroots, Find, JAMS, and Plant Precision Products, 20% off Klutch, Kiva, and Camino products.
- Black Friday 11/29: Curaleaf Customer Appreciation Day from 11-2. Caterers will be providing an assorted choice of coffees, cocoas, mocktails, sodas and water to our guests. Get a Grassroots Coffee Sleeve with the purchase of any Grassroots product. Back by popular demand: get a Curaleaf Humidifier with your purchase of $150+, Grassroots 5.66g of flower – 3 for $100, 5 for $150, Specially Selected Grassroots and Find 14.15g of flower – 35% off, 30% off all Select, Grassroots, Find, JAMS, and Plant Precision Products, 20% off Klutch, Kiva, and Camino products
- Shangri-La Dispensaries (Monroe, Cleveland, Delphos): 30 percent off storewide Green Wednesday. Small Business Saturday will be 25% off Craft Cultivators and Discount stacking weekend which will start on 11/28 thru 12/1.
- Bloom Dispensaries:
- Wednesday, 11/27 *WEEK OF THANKS:
- Doorbuster! First 50 Get a UB Good 20mg Tinctible for $1
- Doorbuster! First 50 Get a Riviera Creek 2.83g for $25
- Buy 5 Select 2.83g for $100
- Buy Any 2+ UB Good Items, Get 30% Off
- Thursday, 11/28 (Thanksgiving 8am-4pm) *WEEK OF THANKS
- Doorbuster! First 50 Get a Riviera Riv Stick for $5
- Doorbuster! First 50 Get a King City 2.83g for $15
- Buy any 2 Certified Cultivators 2.83g for $55 (Excluding Select)
- Buy 2 Certified Cultivators 100mg Gummies for $25
- $120 For All Certified Cultivators 14.15g
- $5 Off any OPP Cart (Stackable)
- Friday, 11/29 *WEEK OF THANKS
- (8am-10am )30% Off Sativa Flower Select Brands (Riviera, King City, Buckeye) *In Store Only
- (7p-close ) 30% Off Indica Flower Select Brands (Riviera, King City, Buckeye) *In Store Only
- 30% Off 2+ Klutch/Kiva Products
- Saturday, 11/30
- Select King City Gardens 2.83g for $24
- All King City Gardens 14.15g for $90 (Sat)
- Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off All Curaleaf Products
- Sunday, 12/1
- Buy 1 Get 1 50% Off All Disposables
- Wednesday, 11/27 *WEEK OF THANKS:
***Check back to this page for updates. Got a Green Wednesday sale to add? Email us and we’ll update our list.
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