If you’ve spent even one July in Maryland, you know it’s not just the heat—it’s the humidity. Whether you’re strolling through Ellicott City, enjoying the breeze in Annapolis, or relaxing in your own backyard, the “Old Line State” summers can be punishing. For medical cannabis patients, these rising temperatures bring a unique set of challenges that go beyond just finding a spot in the shade.
At CannaLeaf Health, we are dedicated to helping our patients navigate their wellness journey safely. While medical cannabis offers life-changing relief for many conditions, it interacts with your body in ways that can make you more susceptible to heat-related issues. This summer, we want to make sure you have the tools and knowledge to stay cool, hydrated, and safe.
The Science of “Cottonmouth”: It’s More Than Just a Dry Tongue
Almost every cannabis user is familiar with xerostomia, commonly known as “cottonmouth.” It’s that sticky, dry feeling in your mouth that often follows a session. While many people think this is just a side effect of smoke irritating the mouth, it’s actually a physiological response.
The cannabinoids in your medicine, particularly THC, bind to receptors in your submandibular glands (the glands that produce saliva). When these receptors are activated, they temporarily stop the glands from receiving messages from the nervous system to produce spit.
Why does this matter in the heat? Saliva is one of your body’s first lines of defense for maintaining oral health and beginning the digestion process, but the “dryness” you feel is often a signal that your body’s fluid levels are being affected. If you are already experiencing cottonmouth while sitting in 90-degree Maryland humidity, you are starting your hydration battle at a disadvantage.
How Cannabis Affects Your Internal Thermostat
The Endocannabinoid System (ECS) is a complex network that helps regulate everything from your mood and appetite to your immune response. One of its most critical roles is maintaining homeostasis—the fancy scientific word for keeping your body in balance. This includes regulating your internal body temperature.
Studies have shown that THC can influence the hypothalamus, the part of the brain that acts as your body’s thermostat. In some cases, cannabis can actually cause a slight decrease in body temperature (hypothermia), but it can also interfere with how your body perceives the external heat. If your “thermostat” is slightly off, you might not realize just how hot you’re getting until you’re already feeling the effects of heat exhaustion.
Recognizing the Risks: Dehydration, Heat Exhaustion, and Heat Stroke
In Maryland, we often deal with “Code Red” heat days where the heat index climbs well over 100 degrees. For a medical cannabis patient, the symptoms of being “too high” can sometimes overlap with the early warning signs of heat-related illness, which is why it is vital to know the difference.
1. Dehydration
- The Signs: Dark yellow urine, dizziness, extreme thirst, and fatigue.
- The Cannabis Connection: Because cannabis can cause dizziness or lethargy on its own, you might dismiss these signs as just “part of the feeling.” Don’t. If you’re outside and feeling lightheaded, reach for water immediately.
2. Heat Exhaustion
- The Signs: Heavy sweating, rapid pulse, muscle cramps, and nausea.
- The Cannabis Connection: If you use cannabis to treat nausea, you might be tempted to dose more to feel better. However, if your nausea is caused by heat exhaustion, adding more cannabis (especially through smoking or vaping) can dehydrate you further and increase your heart rate, putting more strain on your cardiovascular system.
3. Heat Stroke (A Medical Emergency)
- The Signs: High body temperature (103°F or higher), hot/red/dry skin (no sweating), rapid/strong pulse, and loss of consciousness.
- Action: Call 911 immediately. Heat stroke is life-threatening.
The CannaLeaf Safety PSA: Tips for Your Summer Sessions
Our founder, Olga Bennett, CRNP, always emphasizes a “start low and go slow” approach—and that applies to your environment just as much as your dosage. Here is how you can pair your cannabis use with smart summer safety:
Pair Every Session with a Glass of Water
Make it a rule: for every milligram of THC or every puff of a pen, you drink 8 ounces of water. Don’t wait until you’re thirsty. By the time your brain signals “thirst,” you are already mildly dehydrated. If you find plain water boring, try adding electrolytes or slices of fruit like cucumber and watermelon, which have high water content.
Mind Your Consumption Method
In the peak of the afternoon heat, consider how you are medicating:
- Smoking/Vaping: The hot air and smoke can further irritate your throat and lungs, contributing to that feeling of dryness.
- Edibles: While they don’t irritate the lungs, edibles can have a much longer duration. If you take a high-dose edible and go for a hike at Patapsco Valley State Park, you are “committed” to that experience for hours. If the heat becomes overwhelming, the lingering effects of the edible might make it harder for you to navigate back to safety.
- Topicals: For localized pain during summer activities, topicals are a great “heat-friendly” option as they don’t enter the bloodstream or affect your internal temperature regulation.
Seek Shade and Take Breaks
The Maryland sun is strongest between 10:00 AM and 4:00 PM. If you are medicating outdoors, ensure you have a “cool zone.” This could be an air-conditioned room, a shaded porch with a fan, or even a cooling towel around your neck. Taking breaks isn’t just for exercise; it’s for your session, too. Give your body time to process the medicine and the temperature before you decide to do more.
Avoid Alcohol and Caffeine
It’s tempting to grab a cold beer or an iced coffee while enjoying the summer, but both are diuretics—meaning they make you lose fluids faster. Combining cannabis with alcohol (cross-fading) significantly increases the risk of dizziness and nausea, which is the last thing you want when it’s 95 degrees outside.
Olga’s Corner: A Message from Olga Bennett, CRNP
With nearly a decade of experience in medical cannabis evaluations here in Maryland, I’ve seen how transformative this plant can be. My goal—and the goal of the entire CannaLeaf Health team—is to ensure you feel empowered and safe while using your medicine.
Summer is a time for joy and outdoor relaxation, but as a healthcare provider, I urge you to listen to your body. If you feel “off,” don’t push through it. The Maryland Medical Cannabis Commission (MMCC) provides great resources for patients, but the best resource you have is your own intuition. Be kind to your body, give it the water it needs, and remember that we are always here to help guide you through the process.
Final Thoughts and Resources
Staying safe in the summer doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the benefits of your medical cannabis. It just means being a little more intentional about your hydration and your environment.
If you are a new patient looking for a medical cannabis evaluation or an existing patient needing a renewal, CannaLeaf Health is here for you. We offer free phone consultations to see if medical cannabis is right for your condition, and we provide both in-person and online services for your convenience.
Stay Cool, Maryland!
- Contact Us: olga@cannaleafhealth.com
- Call: 443-800-0670
- Visit: Ellicott City, MD
- Request a Consultation: Online Form
