Cannabis and gratitude have been linked across cultures for thousands of years, from ancient wellness practices to modern rituals.
Historically, cannabis has supported reflection, wellness, connection, and mindful presence.
Today’s cannabis rituals continue this tradition through shared experiences, intentional gifting, and personal moments of calm.
Green Wednesday has become a major modern tradition centered on preparation, connection, and gratitude before Thanksgiving.
Simple acts—like sharing a strain, taking a pre-meal walk, or giving thoughtful products—turn everyday moments into meaningful ones.
Across cultures and eras, cannabis brings people together and strengthens relationships.
Cannabis as gratitude in action shows up in both quiet personal rituals and communal experiences, reminding us to appreciate what matters.
As Thanksgiving approaches, we think about gratitude; what it looks like, how we express it, and who we share it with. Here in the U.S., the holiday centers on gathering around a table, reconnecting with loved ones, and honoring traditions that ground us. But gratitude isn’t unique to America. Every culture has its own rituals for giving thanks, and many of those traditions—quietly, consistently—have been intertwined with cannabis.
Whether it’s passing a favorite strain after dinner, sharing a walk before the feast, or gifting something thoughtfully curated to someone you care about, cannabis continues to bridge people, stories, and rituals. In these moments, the plant becomes a gesture of connection and care, a symbol of community, and a reminder of the simple joy of being together.
As we head into a holiday built around appreciation, it feels fitting to look beyond our own traditions and explore how cannabis has helped shape moments of gratitude across generations and across the globe. From its use in ancient Ayurvedic and Chinese practices, to its role in Rastafarian rituals of unity, to the counterculture gatherings of the 1960s, cannabis has long served as a quiet companion to reflection, wellness, creativity, and community.
Let’s take a journey through the ways cannabis has supported—and continues to support—the universal language of giving thanks.
Cannabis has been part of human life for thousands of years, often used to support health, creativity, and inner balance. In many ancient cultures, gratitude wasn’t just something spoken; it was practiced through rituals that honored the body, the earth, and the spirit.
In ancient India, cannabis was used in Ayurvedic medicine to support meditation, spiritual clarity, and physiological balance. While not used casually, it appeared in certain rituals designed to promote relaxation and introspection. These practices were rooted in gratitude for nature’s offerings and the belief that the mind and body flourish when we honor what the earth provides.
Cannabis, when used in this context, wasn’t an escape, it was a way to deepen one’s presence. A way to step back, breathe, and recognize the abundance around you.
Cannabis seeds and oils have been part of Chinese medicinal practices dating back more than 2,000 years. They were used to support digestion, promote calm, and address a variety of health concerns. While not tied to celebration the way modern use can be, cannabis was woven into cultural expressions of wellness as an appreciation for maintaining balance, longevity, and harmony within the body.
At its core, this was gratitude: caring for oneself as an act of respect for life.
One of the most recognized cultural connections to cannabis comes from the Rastafarian movement in Jamaica, where the plant—often referred to as “ganja”—serves as a sacred tool. It is used not to disconnect, but to connect: to Jah (God), to community, and to one’s inner voice.
Rastafarian rituals often involve communal smoking as part of “reasoning sessions,” where individuals gather to share insights, reflect, question, listen, and uplift one another. These aren’t casual conversations; they are extensions of spirituality and shared humanity. In these moments, cannabis becomes a conduit for empathy, understanding, and collective gratitude for life’s blessings.
This tradition embodies something universal: when people share something meaningful, they create space to grow together.
Fast-forward to the 1960s, and cannabis once again found itself at the heart of a cultural movement, this time in communities seeking peace, connection, and creative expression. The counterculture era embraced cannabis as a symbol of openness, as a doorway to new ideas, new music, new art, and new philosophies.
Smoking together was a kind of fellowship. It turned strangers into friends, sparked long, reflective conversations, and encouraged people to imagine more compassionate ways of living. Gratitude in this context looked like freedom; freedom to think differently, to connect authentically, and to envision a world shaped by empathy rather than conflict.
And much like earlier traditions, cannabis again became a quiet force for unity.
Today, cannabis is part of countless personal and cultural rituals, some rooted in ancient practices, others shaped by modern life. And even though the world has changed, the underlying theme is the same: cannabis brings people together in moments that matter.
In recent years, Green Wednesday—the day before Thanksgiving—has become one of the strongest expressions of modern gratitude. What began as a shopping moment has evolved into a cultural ritual: a day to prepare for the weekend ahead, pick up favorite strains, curate thoughtful gifts, and set the tone for the shared moments to come. It’s become the unofficial kickoff to the holiday’s slower pace, deeper conversations, and intentional connection.
For many, taking a walk before a holiday meal—passing a joint, enjoying an edible, or simply grounding the moment with a favorite strain—has become a ritual in its own right. It’s a chance to breathe before the bustle, to settle into the company of friends or family, and to arrive at the table with a lighter heart.
This small act creates space for gratitude for the people you’re with, the food you’ll share, and the stories that will unfold.
H3: Passing the Favorite Strain
Cannabis has a unique ability to turn something simple into something meaningful. Passing a bowl or joint after dinner becomes a way of savoring time together; of being unrushed, unforced, and present. The laughter that follows, the stories, and the unexpected tangents all become part of a shared memory.
Gift-giving is an expression of appreciation, and cannabis elevates that gesture. A hand-picked pre-roll for someone who loves to unwind after work. A curated indica for the friend who needs a little more rest. A bright, creative sativa for the person who’s always dreaming up something new.
A thoughtful cannabis gift says: “I see you. I know you. And I want you to have something that makes your life a little better.”
When we look across history and culture, a pattern becomes clear: cannabis has always been less about consumption and more about connection. It’s a thread woven through rituals of healing, reflection, spirituality, creativity, and community.
Its role in gratitude isn’t loud or flashy. It’s subtle. Human. Genuine.
Cannabis encourages us to slow down—to be present with the people we love, to appreciate the moment we’re in, and to recognize how shared experiences deepen our sense of belonging. Whether through ancient ceremonies or modern traditions, it reminds us that gratitude is something we practice, not just something we say.
Every person who uses cannabis has their own ritual, their own reason, their own moment that feels sacred in its simplicity. And that’s the beauty of it: cannabis adapts to culture, to community, to the individual. It fills the spaces where connection wants to happen.
So, this Thanksgiving season, whether you’re lighting up with friends, sharing a pre-dinner walk, exchanging thoughtful gifts, or simply taking a moment to breathe and reflect, let cannabis be part of your gratitude practice.
Let it be a reminder of where we’ve come from and everything we’re thankful for today. At Budr, we’re here for your rituals, your moments, and your connections.
Disclaimer: This blog post is intended for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Cannabis affects individuals differently, and reactions can vary based on personal factors. Please consult with a qualified healthcare professional before using cannabis, especially if you have any underlying health conditions or are taking medications.
