Culture
As More Americans Choose Marijuana Over Alcohol, Mainstream Media Notices The ‘Cousin Walk’ Thanksgiving Tradition
Published
on November 25, 2025
The Rise of the “Cousin Walk”: How Cannabis Culture Is Making Its Way to Thanksgiving Tables
For some in the cannabis community, the Thanksgiving “cousin walk”—an annual ritual where younger adults step outside to share a joint before the holiday feast—has been a tradition for years. Yet for mainstream media readers, it might seem like a brand-new trend.
This year, outlets like The Wall Street Journal have highlighted the ritual, showing how marijuana culture is gradually being normalized in mainstream coverage.
Cannabis Headlines Leading Up to Thanksgiving
In the days before the holiday, several national outlets ran cannabis-focused stories:
- Wall Street Journal: “This Year’s Thanksgiving Surprise: Half of the Guests Are Stoned”
- Bloomberg: “Cannabis Is In, Booze Is Out at This Year’s Thanksgiving Table”
- The Independent: “What is a ‘cousin walk’—and are you hopping on this Thanksgiving tradition?”
- Morning Brew: “Pre-Thanksgiving strolls are firing up weed sales”
According to the Journal, “What started as a subversive activity among dedicated stoners has mushroomed into a full-blown tradition. Like every other holiday, it’s gone commercial.” With marijuana now legal for medicinal use in 40 states and recreational use in more than half of those, the cannabis industry is capitalizing on the popularity of pre-turkey tokes to boost business.
Participants also enjoy the secrecy and playfulness of the ritual: “Hiding the activity from disapproving kin—as much as a person reeking of weed can—is part of the fun.” In some cases, family members may know exactly what’s happening outside but choose to turn a blind eye.
Cannabis Goes Commercial
New York-based dispensary Gotham has even marketed a marijuana pre-roll pack called “Cousins Walk” ahead of Thanksgiving, describing the tradition as “a secret society that meets once a year.”
Marijuana vs. Alcohol
This coverage reflects a broader trend: adults are increasingly opting for cannabis over alcohol. Thanksgiving, with its appetite-enhancing opportunities, highlights that shift. Recent polling shows:
- One in three millennials and Gen Z workers prefer THC-infused drinks over alcohol for after-work socializing.
- A majority of Americans view marijuana as a “healthier option” than alcohol, with most expecting cannabis to be legal nationwide within five years.
With these trends, it’s likely that more cousins will be spotted stepping outside for their annual stoner sojourn this Thanksgiving.
Last year, multiple states—and federal authorities in the U.S. and Canada—issued reminders about marijuana laws ahead of the holiday, urging adults to consume responsibly and avoid traveling across borders with cannabis.
Photo courtesy of Ahmed Rasfiyan
