Summer is the for playfulness, long nights and hot moments – and marijuana can add little excitement also.

As summer approaches and the days grow longer, many people experience a natural surge in energy, mood, and desire. For those looking to elevate their summer libido, cannabis may offer a surprising and effective boost. Long appreciated for its relaxing and euphoric effects, cannabis is now gaining recognition for its potential to enhance intimacy and arousal—making it an intriguing option for couples looking to heat things up during the sultry season.

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Cannabis interacts with the body’s endocannabinoid system, which plays a key role in regulating mood, stress, and, yes, sexual function. A 2017 study published in The Journal of Sexual Medicine found cannabis users reported increased sexual frequency compared to non-users, without a significant impact on sexual performance or satisfaction. The researchers concluded cannabis may have a dose-dependent effect on sexual desire, suggesting it can act as a natural enhancer of libido.

Of course, the idea libido can be influenced by external elements is nothing new. Remember the 1970s, when “free love” and earthy sensuality were at the forefront of pop culture? Herbal aphrodisiacs and natural mood enhancers were part of the sexual liberation movement, and cannabis was often embraced as a way to heighten connection and pleasure. Go back even further to the 1950s—when behind the conservative façade, many couples found discreet ways to spice up their bedroom life. A little jazz, a little wine, and a bit of herb were whispered secrets passed between beatniks and bohemians.

Today’s cannabis is more refined, with products tailored for intimacy—think low-dose THC-infused chocolates, sensual oils, and relaxation-focused strains. These can lower inhibitions, increase blood flow, and elevate tactile sensitivity, all of which contribute to a more enjoyable and connected experience. For women in particular, cannabis may help ease anxiety and increase body awareness, which are essential ingredients for arousal.

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As with any libido enhancer, moderation and communication are key. Not all strains or products affect people the same way, and it’s important to start slow, especially if you’re new to cannabis. But with the right approach, cannabis can become a playful and natural addition to your summer romance—infusing your warm nights with laughter, closeness, and maybe a little retro magic.

The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is teaming up with an anti-marijuana organization to mark “National Prevention Week,” promoting a campaign that encourages people to share memes with dubious claims about the effects of cannabis—including the theory that it is a “gateway drug” to using other substances.

The memes run the gamut, citing certain reports and studies that have been contradicted by other research. One meme claims that cannabis use is associated with a 50 percent decrease in sperm count, which the DEA-promoted meme suggests could contribute to infertility.

The “Just Say Know” campaign isn’t being directly organized by DEA; rather, it’s coordinated by the organization Johnny’s Ambassadors, which was founded parents who say their child died by suicide after consuming high-potency marijuana concentrates. But the federal agency is hosting the memes on two of its taxpayer-funded websites and has sent email blasts to promote them.

Cannabis potency remains an area of concern for certain lawmakers and anti-cannabis advocates. But the claims being published in meme format by DEA’s JustThinkTwice.gov and GetSmartAboutDrugs.gov sites are fairly sensationalized, or at least disputed by conflicting research.

For example, DEA cited a study alleging that the top contributor of future opioid use is consuming marijuana before the age of 18—an assertion that aligns with the gateway drug theory that’s been challenged based on other scientific analyses.

Other claims in the memes include those stating “50 Woodstock Joints = 1 Marijuana Dab,” attributing cannabis use during youth to a “STRONG” likelihood of developing “psychotic symptoms” in adulthood and linking marijuana to increased risk of schizophrenia, depression and suicidal ideation.

“Failing in school? Stop using THC,” another DEA-promoted meme reads.

Via DEA.

Legalization advocates take issue with the claims.

“At best, these are distortions based upon outliers and cherry-picked data,” Paul Armentano, deputy director of NORML, told Marijuana Moment. “At worst, these memes are misinformation and propaganda.”

“Either way, these messages are unlikely to be taken seriously by the very audience these groups are targeting,” he said. “That’s unfortunate because cannabis, like other mood-alternating substances, is not altogether without risk.”

“Unfortunately, agencies like the DEA no longer have credibility with the public when it comes to providing guidance on these matters because of their longstanding politicization of cannabis and cannabis consumers. They are not honest brokers and the public knows it. So audiences—whether they’re consumers or not—largely reject what they have to say, with good reason.”

In March, DEA separately promoted an “Anti-420 Day” campaign with Johnny’s Ambassadors that recruited students to send short videos warning their peers about marijuana use.

The plan was to “flood” Instagram with the short-form videos that would feature students talking about “why young people should not use THC.”

DEA has developed a reputation for its awkward messaging and educational materials around youth drug use.

For example, in 2023, DEA advised young people that, rather than doing drugs, they should focus on becoming Instagram influencers. The agency promoted tips on how to get a “natural high” as an alternative to drugs, sharing what it said were “7 Better Highs” such as becoming famous on Instagram, playing video games and going to a pet store to look at animals.

DEA is also known for its attempts to decode emojis that it claims are used to buy drugs.

Beyond its youth prevention outreach efforts, DEA is actively considering a proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III of the Controlled Substances Act (CSA). But that process has been delayed amid legal challenges by witnesses participating in administrative hearings to finalize the proposed rule.

Recently, President Donald Trump’s pick to lead DEA to commit to rescheduling marijuana, or to say how he’d approach federal enforcement in states that have legalized cannabis.

In written responses to questions from two Democratic senators as part of his confirmation, the nominee for DEA administrator, Terrance Cole, largely demurred on multiple questions around marijuana policy issues, including a pending proposal to move cannabis from Schedule I to Schedule III that was initiated under the Biden administration.

Cole has previously voiced concerns about the dangers of marijuana and linked its use to higher suicide risk among youth.

While he gave noncommittal answers when asked about rescheduling in the written questions, Cole said during an in-person hearing before the Senate Judiciary Committee last month that examining the rescheduling proposal will be “one of my first priorities” if he’s confirmed for the role, saying it’s “time to move forward” on the stalled process—but again without clarifying what end result he would like to see.

Trump initially chose Hillsborough County, Florida Sheriff Chad Chronister to lead DEA, but the prospective nominee—who strongly advocated for marijuana decriminalization—withdrew from consideration in January amid scrutiny from conservative lawmakers over the sheriff’s record on COVID-related public safety enforcement actions.

As far as the marijuana rescheduling process is concerned, DEA recently notified an agency judge that the proceedings are still on hold—with no future actions currently scheduled as the matter sits before the acting administrator, Derek Maltz, who has called cannabis a “gateway drug” and linked its use to psychosis.

Meanwhile, although shutting down licensed marijuana dispensaries doesn’t “rise to the top” of his priorities, an interim U.S. attorney who recently warned a Washington, D.C. cannabis shop about potential federal law violations says his “instinct is that it shouldn’t be in the community.” He’s since rescinded his consideration for unrelated reasons, however.

Separately, last month, an activist who received a pardon for a marijuana-related conviction during Trump’s first term paid a visit to the White House, discussing future clemency options with the recently appointed “pardon czar.”

A marijuana industry-backed political action committee (PAC) has also released a series of ads over recent weeks that have attacked Biden’s cannabis policy record as well as the nation of Canada, promoting sometimes misleading claims about the last administration while making the case that Trump can deliver on reform.

Its latest ad accused former President Joe Biden and his DEA of waging a “deep state war” against medical cannabis patients—but without mentioning that the former president himself initiated the rescheduling process that marijuana companies want to see completed under Trump.

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Minnesota officials have released the results a state-funded study showing that medical marijuana provides significant benefits for people struggling with sleep apnea.

Unlike many states that have enacted legalization, Minnesota’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) routinely collects data on patients’ experiences and produces research on its findings. This latest report focuses on sleep apnea, a condition that causes people to stop breathing temporarily throughout their sleep.

OCM’s report found that about 40 percent of those who were certified to participate in the medical marijuana program due to sleep apnea reported an average 30 percent reduction in symptoms and were able to maintain that improvement for at least four months.

State officials said the study is “the largest on record involving obstructive sleep apnea and medical cannabis patients.”

The research—which looked at data from 3,102 patients enrolled in the medical cannabis program with sleep apnea from August 1, 2018 to July 31, 2023—found that 39.4 percent of all patients who participated experienced significant improvement in their sleep within four months of beginning treatment and were able to maintain the sleep improvement for an additional four months.

Among patients who initially reported moderate to severe fatigue at enrollment, 55.3 percent saw significant improvement within four months, and 33.5 percent were able to achieve and maintain improved scores.

“Disturbed sleep and fatigue were the most common symptoms reported among patients, with 93.0 percent and 86.8 percent of patients reporting moderate to severe scores at baseline, respectively. Among patients with moderate to severe disturbed sleep, 60.8 percent saw a ≥30 percent reduction in disturbed sleep symptoms within four months. Of those patients with data after initial improvement, 73.6 percent maintained ≥30 percent improvement in their disturbed sleep for at least four months after initial improvement.”

Grace Christensen, an OCM senior research analyst, said in a press release that the results of the study “show meaningful changes in disturbed sleep and fatigue for patients after starting medical cannabis.”

“Obstructive sleep apnea can affect a patient’s mental and physical health, so helping patients treat their symptoms can have a holistic outcome on their wellbeing,” she said.

“Patients with [sleep apnea] who also reported they had symptoms of depression and/or anxiety also showed signs of relief from those symptoms,” OCM said. “More than one-third (39.8 percent) of those experiencing depressive symptoms, and more than one-third (36.7 percent) of those experiencing symptoms of anxiety were able to achieve relief.”

Back in Minnesota, in March a lawmaker filed legislation that would create a system to allow legal access to psilocybin for medical purposes, just days after introducing a separate bill that would legalize personal psilocybin use and possession among adults.

Also that month, a legislative committee in the state gave approval to a plan that would expand eligibility for expungement of marijuana-related criminal records and resentencing.

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Photo courtesy of Mike Latimer.