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The summer heat is often inescapable in the Inland Northwest. Dealing with summer heatwaves can be stressful on the body and the mind, and many turn to cannabis to ease their stress.

The problem is, cannabis consumption isn’t always the coolest thing to do. The majority of cannabis products available require combustion or vaporization — heat — to be consumed.

Waterpipes like bongs and bubblers are a tried-and-true method for cooling down smoke, but regular water is just the tip of the iceberg.

Many bongs, especially higher-end models, feature built-in ice catchers — you can tell if yours has one by looking for indentations near the bottom of the neck. These allow users to drop some ice cubes in and pull the smoke past the frozen water before it enters their lungs.

If your bong does not happen to have this feature, fear not. You can also slide some cubes into the neck, just be careful as there will be nothing to stop them from crashing into the downstem and potentially breaking the glass. Just turn the neck at an angle and slide them in with care.

Not all cannabis products require inhaling hot smoke or vapor, however. Edibles do exist, after all.

However, in hot weather, many classic edibles like chocolates and gummies can start to melt. Sure, you could throw them into the fridge, but popping back a cold chocolate will only cool you down so much.

A cold beverage, on the other hand, will not only cool you for longer but can help keep you hydrated, an important concern in such hot weather.

Dispensaries around the region now feature shelves, often refrigerated, stocked with drinks to please any palate.

True to their name, Stevens County’s Dogtown Pioneers were among the first to break into the beverage game with their iconic line of Ray’s Lemonade. Farther afield but still this side of the Cascades, the line of Sungaze Selzter from Yakima Valley’s Bale Breaker Brewing Co. is a more recent but popular addition to the market.

Whether you’re looking for a high-powered shooter or something sippable, local stores now carry something for everyone, so stock up your fridge and feel refreshed.

When the mercury starts to rise and sundown does little to bring relief, you can still turn to cannabis to find some comfort. Just remember to cool it before you consume it.