Founder

Ophelia Chong

How would you describe your role in the cannabis industry?

My connection to the community began in January 2015, my inclusion in the industry came when I founded Stockpot Images LLC on April 20th, 2015. I created the first and only stock photo/video/illustration agency that specializes in non-stereotypical, non-racist, all-encompassing, and images that destigmatize and demystify the cannabis communities, from LGBTQ+ to women, men, children, and animals that benefit from plant medicines.

How did you get your start in the cannabis industry?
I called my sister a “stoner” when she was ingesting cannabis for her illness, after I said the word, I stepped back and gasped. I stereotyped my own sister, and from that moment on was my mission to destigmatize the use of all plant and fungi medicines.
How has your past experience in design and advertising informed your work in cannabis?
I have been in the creative arts from the day I could walk to the day I graduated from Art Center with a degree in Fine Arts/photo. My first job was as the in-house photographer for Raygun, I shot bands, art, fashion, and editorial. From there I went into film and released over 50 films as a creative director in the LGTBQ, independent (from Gus Van Sant, Noe Gaspar, Todd Solondz, and Cindy Sherman to Jeremy Podeswa, and more). I was also an instructor at Art Center for six years in the photography department, and I founded Stockpot while I was there, funny story, and I was able to get my first shooters from my students, I could tell who had access to weed and was able to shoot it.
I was also the CD for Outfest, Sundance, LAIFF, and for Slamdance for a decade. I then became an award-winning creative for publishing and created more than 3 magazines for creatives.One of the last jobs I did before cannabis was to creative direct a stock photo agency to win design awards to prep it for acquisition by Jupiter Images for $4M. I took all of that to my work in the cannabis industry, from art to film to networking.
What’s your advice to people who are interested in joining the cannabis industry?
Don’t do what you don’t know, do what you are best at and add cannabis. Read, learn, and listen first, in this industry ignorance or lack of knowledge stands out like a sore thumb, especially with the OGS.
What inspired you and Monica Lo to start AACE?
I looked around and saw no one that looked like me in 20015, Monica was one of my photographers and with Tiffany Wu we founded AACE, in May 2015, however, a few months later both left and I have been running AACE myself since November 2015.
How does AACE inspire other Asian Americans to join the industry?
I hope by reading the interviews on the site, anyone interested would find a mentor or inspiration, “She did it, I think I can too….”
What has AACE been able to accomplish in the industry?
Bring APIs together, at the beginning, it was difficult to get people to “talk” openly about being in cannabis, in the last year it has become a feast over the famine of the past, and I can barely keep up with the interviews I send out to new folks. AACE has created a space for others to read about how a fellow API entered the cannabis space, and how they overcame fear, and stigma, however, the biggest step was explaining to the family “why”, with AACE I hope people find the words and inspiration to talk to their families.
Why does it matter to see Asian American representation in the cannabis industry?
It is important in all industries, we are a quiet bunch, we are humble and we don’t stand in front of klieg lights saying “ME!”.
However, I am seeing more embrace this industry and shine in it. Once they were against the education they are now the biggest and getting more vocal about embracing our heritage, over 10,000 years of using cannabis, hemp, and psilocybin for medicine, which was taken from us by the political ambitions of China and the United States.
How did you get interested in psilocybin and what’s the work you hope to do with this new emerging industry?
At Stockpot Images, keywords are the foundation, that is how you drill down to find the image you need (think of keywords as hashtags), and for cannabis, I knew the entire plant from seed to bud, I had to. I saw the coming trend of hemp and psilocybin, so I started two new categories, and like I did with cannabis, I grew both to “know” the subject. I started growing in 2016/7 and from there I have gone from amateur and worked my way to industrial. The 101 Mushroom class on DoubleBlind is the system that I learned from others and after DB asked me to create it, I came on board as executive producer and writer. We have taught over 4K people how to grow mushrooms.
How does design thinking inform your work in the cannabis industry?
Design influences us from the moment we open our eyes, if you really looked at what you saw when you woke up, look at how you arranged the scene…if it is something that is not pleasing then change it and see your mood change from the moment you wake up to the rest of the day. Surround yourself with beauty, and it will become part of your DNA and it will appear effortlessly in all walks of your life. When I say that, you have to have a mind that is open to all beauty and be able to bravely look at your inner demons to allow the beauty within to escape your fears of failure, failure is a strength, not a flaw. From our mistakes we learn to be better–so keep drawing, shooting images, making films, art, words, and loving and once you do it for yourself in a free and heart-expressive way, you are ready to create for others.
Do you consume cannabis? What’s your favorite way to consume and why?
Consuming cannabis was a big decision for me, I am a sober alcoholic of over 17 years, and my issue is being obsessive and all-encompassing about a subject or object. My fear was becoming obsessed with cannabis, however, with education, I realized I was fed propaganda (DARE, etc) and that truly plant medicine that is an integral part of my cultural heritage. I still manage my intake to only a dog walker at the end of the day and a capsule of cannabis oil to fall asleep. I am the market of the future, I see the consumer moving to plant medicine again and seeking relief over entertainment.
One day I will tell you my edible story, it involves Elvis, a brownie, and a will to live another day.