What is the Thanksgiving walk? The Thanksgiving walk is an informal holiday tradition where adult family members who enjoy cannabis step outside together before Thanksgiving dinner, share a joint on private property, then take a short walk together. In Colorado, adults 21 and older can take part legally as long as the consumption happens on private property with the owner's permission. Smoking on sidewalks, in parks, or on trails is public consumption, and that's illegal.
Nobody invented the Thanksgiving walk, and there's no official version of it. It's one of those traditions that shows up in a lot of families on its own: the oven's full, the game's on, the kitchen's crowded, and a few cousins quietly head for the back door. If that sounds like your family, this guide covers what the tradition is, why people love it, and how to do it without breaking Colorado law.
Why do people take a Thanksgiving walk before dinner?
Mostly, it's about a break. Thanksgiving is a long day of cooking, hosting, and conversation, and stepping outside for 20 or 30 minutes gives everyone a chance to reset before the meal. For adults who already enjoy cannabis, sharing a joint during that break has become part of the ritual, the same way some families have a pre-dinner glass of wine or a football game in the yard.
It's also social in a way the rest of the day sometimes isn't. The Thanksgiving walk tends to be where siblings catch up, where in-laws get to know each other a little better, and where the people who don't usually get a quiet moment at a big family gathering finally get one. The cannabis is part of it, but the walk and the company are the point.
Where can you legally do a Thanksgiving walk with cannabis in Colorado?
This is the part to get right. Colorado's official overview of cannabis laws says using cannabis in any way, including smoking, eating, or vaping, isn't allowed in public places. The state specifically lists sidewalks and parks, and the same idea applies to public trails and open space. So lighting up on the neighborhood sidewalk during a Thanksgiving walk, even on a quiet holiday afternoon in Wheat Ridge or Denver, isn't legal.
Private property is where adult use belongs, and only when the owner says it's okay. In practice, the Thanksgiving walk usually looks like one of these setups. If the host has a big backyard, acreage, or a private property with room to wander, the group can walk and consume right there with the host's blessing, as long as you're out of view of the street and any kids. If the house sits on a typical city lot, many families split it up: they share a joint on the back patio or in the yard first, then take an easy, cannabis-free walk around the block afterward. Either way, the consumption stays on private property and the public part of the walk stays a walk.
A couple of other rules apply too. Renters may not be allowed to use cannabis at home, depending on the lease, so check before you host. And everyone involved has to be 21 or older. Sharing cannabis with anyone under 21 is a felony in Colorado, even within the family.
How do you plan a Thanksgiving walk?
The best Thanksgiving walks are low-key, so the planning is light. Start by talking to the host a few days ahead. A simple "would you mind if a few of us step out back before dinner?" avoids surprises and gives the host a chance to suggest the right spot, like a side yard away from the windows where kids are playing.
Next, pick a time. Most groups aim for an hour or so before the meal is served, when the turkey is resting and the kitchen doesn't need extra hands. That leaves time to come back in, wash up, and sit down with everyone else. If you head out too close to dinner, you risk holding up the table. If you go too early, it can feel like you've disappeared for half the afternoon.
Finally, settle the ride question before anyone lights anything. If you'll be consuming, plan to stay the night, catch a rideshare, or hand your keys to someone who isn't. Colorado treats driving high as impaired driving, and nobody should drive after the walk.
What should you bring for a Thanksgiving walk?
Prerolls and joints for sharing
Prerolls are the classic pick because there's nothing to grind, roll, or pack, and they're easy to share on the back patio before you head out. Browse our prerolls for options that fit your group, including multipacks of smaller joints. Smaller sizes are handy when the group includes people with different comfort levels, since nobody feels pressure to finish a big joint.
Flower for the family member who likes to roll
Every family seems to have one person who takes pride in rolling for the group. For them, a few grams from our flower selection is a good fit. Our flower is grown in our own Front Range facilities, so our budtenders can tell you plenty about what's on the shelf.
Edibles as a quieter alternative
Not everyone wants to smoke, and some hosts would rather nobody smells like a joint at the dinner table. THC edibles are the discreet option. Just keep timing in mind. Colorado's guidance on safety with edibles notes that edibles can take up to four hours to reach full effect, so an edible taken during a pre-dinner walk may not kick in until dessert or later. Plan for that, and never take a second serving just because the first one seems slow.
How much should newer consumers have on a Thanksgiving walk?
Less than they think. If a relative is new to cannabis or hasn't used it in years, the kind move is to let them go at their own pace. For smoking, that might mean a puff or two, then waiting to see how they feel before passing it back. Effects from smoking come on faster than edibles, so a short pause tells them a lot.
For edibles, the state's advice is clear. If you aren't sure how cannabis will affect you, take less than one serving (Colorado edible servings are 10 mg THC or less) and wait at least 90 minutes before having more. On a holiday when you're also eating a big meal and maybe drinking, that patience matters even more. The state also cautions that combining alcohol and cannabis is likely to cause greater impairment than either one alone.
What's good Thanksgiving walk etiquette with relatives who don't consume?
The tradition works best when it doesn't make anyone uncomfortable. Keep the invitation casual and easy to decline, and don't make a big announcement at the table. Step far enough away from the house that smoke doesn't drift through open doors or windows, and stay out of sight of kids.
When you come back inside, be a good guest. Wash your hands, maybe change your sweater if it picked up the smell, and jump right back into helping. If a relative has strong feelings about cannabis, respect that and skip it at their house. There's always next year, or a different house.
Edibles at a family gathering need extra care. Keep them in the original child-resistant packaging and somewhere locked or up high, never on a counter or in a dish next to the regular snacks. Holiday houses are full of kids, pets, and people grabbing whatever looks good.
Why do water and snacks matter on a Thanksgiving walk?
A lot of people find that cannabis leaves their mouth feeling dry, so bringing a bottle of water along is an easy courtesy for the group. It also helps to have eaten something earlier in the day. Showing up to the walk on an empty stomach after skipping breakfast to "save room" isn't a great plan. A handful of crackers or a small plate of appetizers before you head out keeps things comfortable until dinner is on the table.
Where should you stock up for a Thanksgiving walk near Denver?
Options Cannabis Company is at 9085 W. 44th Street in Wheat Ridge, a short drive from Denver, Arvada, Lakewood, and Edgewater. Shopping a few days before Thanksgiving gives you time to pick out prerolls, flower, or edibles without a holiday rush. You can order online from our menu, then show your ID and pay in store with cash or a debit card with a PIN when you pick up the same day.
For current specials, check our daily deals page as the holiday gets closer. Holiday hours may differ from our regular schedule, so call us at 720-242-9452 to confirm before you come in around Thanksgiving. And remember that cannabis can't leave Colorado, so out-of-town family should plan to enjoy it here.
Thanksgiving walk cannabis FAQ
What is the Thanksgiving walk?
It's an informal tradition where adult family members who enjoy cannabis step out before Thanksgiving dinner, share a joint on private property, and then take a walk together. In Colorado it has to happen on private property with the owner's permission.
Is it legal to smoke weed on a Thanksgiving walk around the neighborhood?
No. Public consumption is illegal in Colorado, including on sidewalks, in parks, and on trails. Consume on private property, then walk.
Who can join a Thanksgiving walk?
Only adults 21 and older. Giving or sharing cannabis with anyone under 21 is a felony in Colorado.
What's the best product for a Thanksgiving walk?
Prerolls and joints are the classic choice because they're easy to share. Edibles are a discreet alternative, but they take longer to kick in.
How much should a beginner have?
Start small. A puff or two when smoking, or less than one 10 mg serving of an edible, and wait before having more.
Can I drive home after a Thanksgiving walk?
Not if you've consumed. Stay over, use a rideshare, or ride with a sober driver.
Is Options Cannabis open on Thanksgiving?
Holiday hours can differ from our regular schedule. Call 720-242-9452 to confirm.
