The day before Thanksgiving has the honor of being two of the biggest consumption days of the year – are you ready?

While some people are prepping for Thanksgiving Thursday, the big feast and the holiday season afterwards, a significant amount are looking forward to Wednesday. The day before Thanksgiving has become a mini-holiday in its own right. It has become a time of robust celebration, so much it is known as Green Wednesday and Blackout Wednesday. It is a  significant consumption day for both marijuana and alcohol imbibers.

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Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving, has grown to rival major drinking holidays like New Year’s Eve and St. Patrick’s Day in terms of alcohol consumption. And cannabis is not far behind seeing a big spike in dispensary purchases on the same day. As legal cannabis  moved across the nation, it caught on and gave options to people who want to “unplug” at the start of the holiday weekend.

The original partakers start Blackout Wednesday, also known as Drinksgiving or Thanksgiving Eve. They helped make it become a significant cultural phenomenon. This unofficial holiday takes place on the Wednesday before Thanksgiving and has gained notoriety as one of the busiest drinking nights of the year. The exact origins of Blackout Wednesday are not precisely documented, but the phenomenon is believed to have started decades before it was named. The term “Drinksgiving” dates back to 2007, while the first Google searches for “Blackout Wednesday” were recorded in 2014.

If you choose to celebrate, be safe, have fun, and have the ingredients for a hangover cure come the morning.

As it it becomes available to more people, there is a positive health change going on according to data.

Cannabis is becoming more mainstream and and the side effects are doing even better than expected.  It seems the availability of legal marijuana is helping with the health of the general population. Studies in California, Canada and the now New Zealand have shown the upside of legalization. While cannabis has been used for health benefits for millions of years, reduction in more harmful intoxication products is another important wellness trend.

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Alcohol consumption is associated with significant health risks, including liver damage, cardiovascular issues, and certain cancers. In contrast, marijuana has not been linked to the same level of severe physical health consequences. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that over 36,000 annual U.S. deaths are attributed to chronic alcohol use, while there is no comparable category for marijuana-related deaths. Alcohol is also much more addictive than marijuana, causing long term physical and mental issues.

A study from New Zealand has found some interesting trends regarding the relationship between marijuana legalization and the consumption of alcohol and opioids.

Following the legalization of marijuana in New Zealand, researchers observed a notable decline in alcohol consumption:

• There was a 6-9% decrease in the frequency of binge drinking among adults aged 21 and older.
• The study found no significant impact on underage drinking rates among those aged 12-20.

This suggests for adults, marijuana may be serving as a substitute for alcohol in some cases, particularly when it comes to heavy drinking episodes.

The relationship between marijuana legalization and opioid use appears more complex:

• There was no clear evidence of marijuana legalization directly reducing opioid use or abuse.
• However, some research indicates that people who use cannabis are more likely to initiate opioid use, with an odds ratio of 2.76 compared to non-cannabis users.
• The likelihood of transitioning from opioid use to opioid use disorders among cannabis users was found to be 2.52 times higher than non-cannabis users.

The study also revealed some additional findings regarding substance use patterns:

• Marijuana use increased by 16% among adults aged 21 and older following legalization.
• There was a 5-6% increase in marijuana use initiation among adolescents and young adults aged 12-20. This would be go with the greater North American trend of California sober and Gen Z drifting away from alcohol and more into marijuana.
• No significant changes were observed in the use of hard drugs like cocaine or heroin in any age group.

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These findings suggest while marijuana legalization may lead to decreased alcohol consumption among adults, it does not necessarily translate to reduced use of other substances, particularly opioids. The relationship between cannabis use and other substance use behaviors is complex and multifaceted. Time and more research should yield more benefits.

Want something delicious with an “oomph” – these yummy creamy concoctions will make your mouth happy!

Fall is a time of coziness, cuffing and nights in front of the fire. Want better way to accent it with a nice tasty cocktail? Try these delicious autumn cream drinks and enjoy the pre-holiday season. Bailey’s was the commercial first cream liquor and made available to the public in 1971. But Irish monks have blended whiskey with fresh dairy cream since the 14th century.  These new and classic connections will bring a smile on crisp nights.

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Important note, using cream instead of milk in alcoholic cocktails can significantly enhance the drink’s texture, flavor, and overall experience. Cream provides a richer and smoother texture compared to milk. The higher fat content in cream (typically around 36% or more) creates a luxurious mouthfeel that can elevate the drinking experience.

White Russian

The White Russian’s development took about 30 years. The first mention of the drink is in a newspaper was in 1965 in the Oakland Tribune. The 1961 edition of the Diner’s Club Drink Book included a recipe for a Black Russian, with a note suggesting adding cream to make a White Russian. The White Russian’s popularity increased after the 1998 movie The Big Lebowski, where the main character, Jeffrey “The Dude” Lebowski, drinks it throughout the film.

Ingredients

• 2 ounces vodka
• 1 ounce Kahlúa
• 1 ounce heavy cream

Create

1. Add the vodka and Kahlúa to a rocks glass filled with ice
2. Top with the heavy cream and stir

Churro Cocktails

A churro is a fried dough pastry originated in Spain and Portugal. They are a fast-growing dessert and breakfast item on menus, and are a popular treat at theme parks and sporting events in Europe and North and South America.  Somrus, who makes cream liquors, made a cocktail from the flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 1/2 parts Somrus Coffee
• 1/2 part cinnamon whiskey

Create

Brandy Alexander

This is was a classic “go to drink” for X. It was rumored to have been created at the Paris Ritz in 1922. Or it could have been made in 1915 by celebrate pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander during a World Series. It was considered a posh way to end the evening, especially after other cocktails.It’s creamy and boozy or a delicious replacement for dessert for those who like to drink their sweets. In the 2000s, it has moved to the back of the line, but is still a great way to cap off a night drinking.

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Mango Fizz

For those who are holding on to every last bit of summer, this mango cocktail can add a a little sunshine. The fruit is considered the world’s most popular fruit with over 20 million tons consumed each year. Mangoes are a symbol of friendship and love, which can add to special evening.

Ingredients

• 2 parts Somrus Mango
• 1 part citrus vodka
• ½ part simple syrup
• Club soda

Create

1. Combine Mango liqueur, vodka and simple syrup in an ice-filled shaker
2. Shake vigorously
3. Strain into ice-filled glass
4. Top with club soda