As Thanksgiving approaches, Vermonters are leaning into a newer tradition that blends the state’s celebrated food culture with its growing cannabis industry: Danksgiving, a cannabis-friendly twist on the holiday centered around gratitude, good food, and the people who make the state’s cannabis economy possible.

The term has circulated online for nearly two decades, but its meaning continues to evolve. According to coverage referenced in Marijuana Moment, search interest in “Danksgiving” began increasing around 2006 and has risen almost every November since, showing how the concept continues to root itself in modern American cannabis culture.

What Danksgiving Means, Beyond the Word

While Danksgiving can simply mean enjoying cannabis before or after dinner, the practice has expanded significantly. According to articles from cannabis-culture sites such as Budmaster and ACKNAT News, many enthusiasts now view Danksgiving as an opportunity to infuse elements of a traditional meal, from herb-infused butter to cannabis-infused gravies and desserts, with the “modern twist” of today’s cannabis science.

These articles note that with today’s precision-dosed oils, tinctures, concentrates, and culinary-specific extracts, “nearly any food item you can think of can now be infused.” The trend reflects how rapidly cannabis gastronomy has developed in the past decade.

Still, for many consumers, Danksgiving has no elaborate recipes at all, just a moment to relax before a meal, step outside with cousins or friends, or enjoy cannabis as a complement to the holiday.

Vermont’s Food Scene Makes Danksgiving Feel Natural

Vermont’s food identity, built on local sourcing, small farms, craft producers and accessible high-quality ingredients, aligns seamlessly with the ethos behind Danksgiving.

This is a state where: small-batch growers thrive, farm-to-table culture is the norm, and consumers value craftsmanship, transparency and local pride.

Legal cannabis fits effortlessly into that landscape. Vermont’s adult-use legalization, shaped by Act 164 and implemented through the Cannabis Control Board, has made high-quality flower, edibles and concentrates widely accessible, sourced from craft growers instead of large multistate corporations. According to guidance published by the Vermont Growers Association, the state’s potency limits and testing requirements are designed to support responsible access and consumer safety.

That means Vermonters celebrating Danksgiving today have access to products that are regulated, tested, grown with care and aligned with Vermont values, a far cry from the uncertain, unregulated market that existed before legalization.

Safety Still Matters

Danksgiving comes with a necessary reminder: consume responsibly.

According to reporting referenced by Marijuana Moment, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration has periodically issued holiday messaging around cannabis impairment and driving, urging consumers not to operate a vehicle after using THC. Campaigns such as “#DitchDanksgiving,” while controversial in tone among advocates, echo one essential message: enjoy the holiday, but don’t drive impaired.

A Holiday of Gratitude, Especially for Vermont’s Cannabis Community

For those involved in the Green Mountain State’s cannabis industry, Danksgiving is also a moment to acknowledge the people and partnerships that made the state’s legal market possible.

This year, that gratitude extends to:

Vermont’s cannabis farmers

The cultivators who grow clean, carefully cured, small-batch flower under tight state rules, preserving craft agriculture in a challenging market.

Advocacy groups, alliances, and associations

The organizations that fought for legalization, supported Act 164, guided policy discussions, and continue to advocate for fair taxation, sensible regulation, and small-grower viability.

Retailers, manufacturers, and partners

The businesses that help sustain Vermont’s cannabis ecosystem, and those who support GreenMountain Cannabis News, the state’s only publication dedicated exclusively to cannabis journalism.

The readers and community

Vermonters who value transparent reporting, local sourcing, and safe, responsible cannabis access.

In a year marked by industry challenges, market fluctuations, regulatory hurdles and competition from the illicit market, having a legal cannabis community at all is something many in Vermont remain thankful for. The partnerships and collaborations that emerged since legalization continue to help the industry mature.

A Vermont Danksgiving

Whether it’s through an infused recipe, a pre-dinner smoke, a handcrafted edible or simply a deeper appreciation for how far the state has come, Danksgiving reflects a blend of tradition and progress, the kind of blend Vermont does best.

With good food, good company and good cannabis, Vermonters have created a celebration that is uniquely their own, rooted in gratitude, built on community and made possible by the people who cultivate and support this growing industry.