Nov. 2021 - Maryland Leaf

PATIENT OF THE MONTH

CANN ABIS FOR A BETTER LIFE

sarah meeker

14

“Cannabis saved my life,” the Pikesville High graduate said. “The doctors told me I would need beta blockers for the rest of my life for a heart issue. I got introduced to CBD, quit a job that was causing me a lot of stress and what do you know? I didn’t need the medicine anymore.”

Sarah received a medical card in 2018 and the plant soon became a savior.

“I was dysregulated; I was so unaligned with who I am,” they said. “[Cannabis] brings you to homeostasis.”

In time, the power of community has become Sarah’s true saving grace, partnering up with like-minded individuals for the betterment of those involved.

“Removing that stigma, being able to talk out loud to people about [Cannabis] and teaching people who are new to things that I know, it’s made a big difference for me,” they said.

Eliminating any shame or guilt surrounding Cannabis usage has been a long process. Being raised by their grandmother due to Sarah’s mother struggling with addiction issues, when weekend visitations were granted and on the occasions Sarah saw Mom happy – Cannabis was often involved – much to the chagrin of Grandma.

“At a young age, it seemed to me like [Cannabis] was different from other illicit drugs,” they said. “There were parties with alcohol and other stuff, and it always seemed to end in violence. When I watched my mom and other family members sit around and smoke pot, there was nothing like that. It was peaceful. But my grandmother didn’t like it and her judgment trickled down on me.”

Years later, Sarah is getting paid to host holiday extravaganzas at home, bringing together large groups of patients (25-30) around a backyard bonfire. It’s a profession they prefer over the “miserable” monotony of a previous 13-year tenure as a certified medical assistant.

“These are my dreams … my passion,” said Sarah, who recently partnered with a hometown dispensary (The Living Room) to sponsor a pair of events. “I’m always looking for ways to bring patients together in affordable ways. It’s about community building; it’s about having people in the same space.”

“I watch people form relationships and businesses in my backyard!” they laughed excitedly. “When people write their stories, I just want one small piece of that book to say, ‘We met in Heady’s backyard.’”

With a Puffco in hand – a smooth 1:1 CBD strain preferred – and a red-and-black, one-wheel by their side, Sarah is authoring a new chapter of life. It’s bold, it’s brave – and offers no regrets.

“We live this life together, but we’re all writing a different book,” said Sarah, who is sponsored by Stoke Blokes Wheel Shoppe in Fairfax. “To be able to write just one chapter together, with people who are open-minded, well … that’s the most beautiful thing.”

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“I’m always looking for ways to bring patients together in affordable ways.

It’s about community building; it’s about having people in the same space.”

THE ROAD TO RECOVERY IS LONG. It’s arduous. And it’s anything but linear. But for Sarah Meeker, a 36-yearold resident of Maryland, it’s been worth it. A survivor of an abusive childhood, Sarah has been breaking down barriers that previously served as shackles to an unhappy life. Now the individual many refer to as ‘Heady’ – a play on their Instagram account (@headystateofmind) – is one-wheeling and dealing, competitively racing down picturesque mountainsides around the country. And when they’re back home, they’re hosting wellbeing gatherings for medical Cannabis patients in the state.

NOV. 2021

STORY by BAXSEN PAINE @BAXSENPAINE for MARYLAND LEAF | PHOTO by WYATT EARLY @ERRLYWYATT