Give Thanks: Tips for a Cannabis-Themed Thanksgiving

If you're looking forward to giving thanks with a buzz don't miss our tips for a cannabis-themed Thanksgiving. Spending time with family and fiends reminds us of the many things in life that we should be thankful for and not take for granted. Gathering around a warm fire toasting good times sets the mood for one of the best meals of the year.

Thanksgiving is a time to indulge. Moderation and diet concerns are forgotten as everyone loads their plates with their favorite holiday dishes. By the time the pumpkin pie is served, it’s usually time to loosen the belt and enjoy a football game or movie as the sun sinks lower in the sky.

As perfect a day as Thanksgiving can be, it can be even better with an assortment of cannabis and related products to enhance the festive gathering even more. After all, what whets the appetite and complements fine food and spirits more than an outstanding cannabis strain or infused dessert or beverage? Elevate your next Thanksgiving gathering by providing your guests with a choice of THC or CBD strains to kick the party up to the next level.

Begin with the Basics

You can launch your pre-feast party with a nice strain or two that will set the mood for the meal to follow. Strains that produce a serious case of the munchies are a perfect choice for Thanksgiving. This occasion is the one day of the year when you can expect everyone at the table to indulge in second or even third helpings, so a good hunger-inducing indica strain—or sativa, of you wish—will ensure everyone makes the most of the day’s menu. Indulging in an indica on Thanksgiving fits with the mood of the day, since most people are in relaxation mode anyway after the meal.

Of the various cannabinoids and compounds found in cannabis, tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) is the cannabinoid that triggers hunger. When you smoke or vape a good strain, endocannabinoid receptors in the brain react in various ways, causing a variety of effects that may include euphoria, happiness, relaxation, sleepiness, and hunger. That’s one of the reasons why good indica strains often have great medical potential for the reduction of pain and stimulation of appetite in cancer patients. Chemotherapy causes a loss of appetite that marijuana can counteract in very beneficial ways.

The pre-meal enjoyment of a fine strain or two will just about guarantee that everyone present will have a growling stomach by the time they line up to fill their plates. Fortunately, cannabis also enhances the sense of taste, which is why satiating a case of the munchies is often so satisfying. The food actually tastes better. What could be more perfect on Thanksgiving?

A great number of cannabis strains will stimulate the appetite, but not all of them are created equally when it comes to causing an acute case of the munchies. Some of the well-known strains that are guaranteed to have Thanksgiving guests polish off the appetizers and come back for more include OG Kush, Blue Dream, Candyland, Girl Scout Cookies, Pineapple Express, and Afghani. Usually, indica or indica-dominant strains work the best for building an appetite—but quite a few sativa strains serve well to build appetite, too.

Because chances are there will be several people present at your Thanksgiving gathering, consider your method of consumption so that everyone gets plenty. This festive occasion lends itself perfectly to large joints of OG Kush, Girl Scout Cookies, or another strain of your choice.

The Feast

If you happen to be the host of your Thanksgiving party, the meal preparation and menu will most likely be your responsibility. Everyone knows the standard Thanksgiving dishes like turkey, dressing, cranberry sauce, gravy, mashed potatoes—either sweet potatoes, regular spuds or choice of both—green bean casserole, rolls, and numerous other dishes (everyone seems to have a favorite dish on Thanksgiving). Whether you cook the entire meal yourself or prepare something to take to the party, why not go with something that’s cannabis-infused?

Fortunately, you don’t have to come up with an infused Thanksgiving menu on your own. Since cooking with cannabis is becoming increasingly mainstream, cannabis chefs have taken the guesswork out of it, so you can prepare a great cannabis-infused Thanksgiving meal that’s already passed the taste test. There are many choices out there when selecting the best infused dishes for your Thanksgiving. Tastes vary, so it’s good to have a selection.

When it comes to edibles, the best way to include cannabis-infused dishes is in moderation. If partygoers are already smoking or vaping cannabis, too much of a good thing is definitely possible. People react to cannabis edibles in different ways—including among true connoisseurs—and not everyone reacts well to cannabis edibles. Dishes with low dosages is the best way to go, or better yet, just two or three infused dishes, so that the gathering retains a festive tone. Regular, uninfused dishes will no doubt be appreciated by moderate cannabis consumers or those who choose not to partake at all—not to mention children who may be present.

Don’t Forget Dessert

Sweets have always been popular for infused treats, and Thanksgiving always has plenty of options for the final course. Pumpkin pie is probably the most common Thanksgiving dessert item since it’s so seasonal and delicious. A cannabis-infused pumpkin pie or two (depending on the size of the gathering) is a perfect end to an amazing meal.

There are many infused dessert items that are sold in dispensaries and adult-use stores, so you may just want to buy an assortment to complement uninfused dessert items. By the time dessert rolls around, some people may have had their fill of cannabis for the day. Having the option to eat uninfused desserts will no doubt appeal to some of your Thanksgiving guests. Since children are usually present at these meals, you will want to keep the adult desserts and dishes well away from the kiddos.

The best course of action with a cannabis-infused meal is to remember to keep dosages low. If people consume too much too fast, they will not have a pleasant experience, and everyone wants to have a good time at Thanksgiving. Have plenty of uninfused dishes for those who would rather smoke than partake in edibles. We all have so much to be thankful for in this special holiday, so try to provide plenty of choices to make it fun and thankful for all present. Soon enough, the day will come to a close and Black Friday will put everyone in holiday shopping mode. Enjoy your Thanksgiving while it lasts!

To learn more about cooking with cannabis, enroll in CTU today!