Melodie Ling is the founder and creator of Blunted Objects, an online cannabis accessories store. Melodie shares with us her relationship with cannabis and how it led to her role in contributing to cannabis counterculture.
What role does cannabis play in your life? How did you start using the plant?
It started out as a recreational thing in college; we would just get really high, watch movies and give into munchies. Now over 10 years later, I am in therapy and finally aware that I was/am living with depression and using it as a means of escape. Although I still smoke to have fun when I’m out, when I’m at home, I’m using it much more mindfully for just the opposite effect: to connect with myself better.
Do you have a cannabis ritual?
I used to just smoke whatever, whenever, however. I would alternate among bong hits, dabs, edibles and didn’t know what I was smoking or eating half the time since the goal was just to get high. I didn’t care if it was Indica or Sativa or whether an edible would knock me out f
or 2 hours.
Now, before I do anything, I think about the intent: Why am I doing it? How does it make me feel? Could emotional trauma be a factor into my usage? Am I trying to distract myself from painful thoughts, or perhaps physically alleviate the anger or sadness that lives in my body? There’s a concept of living an examined life, in which you are mindful of your actions and the reasons behind them. Depression had made me live life on autopilot in which I gave no f*cks about anything, and I have to credit meeting my boyfriend (who actually doesn’t smoke) for changing the game for me. He made me rethink everything as I knew it – I finally started to give a f*ck.
What inspired you to start Blunted Objects?
At the time, it was rather shameful, especially for women, to be seen as a “stoner”. But this is something I didn’t understand since I loved the plant so much. I would ask everyone I encountered if they smoked. What if, I thought, I didn’t have to ask anymore because I could just tell from looking at them? And thus, Blunted Objects was born.
What is your wish for helping women normalize their cannabis use?
I want women everywhere to know that there is nothing shameful about it. This is medicine and you deserve to live your truest and most beautiful life. There is a whole community waiting to welcome you whenever you’re ready and you no longer have to hide it. Be proud and explain yourself to no one – just wear your “high as fuck” necklace to let ’em know!
