Vanessa Lavorato Host of Bong Appetit

Host of Bong Appetit Talks Pot Edibles

Vanessa Lavorato // Founder, Marigold Sweets // @vanessamarigold

This Berkeley-based chocolatier, Bong Appetit TV host, and food stylist has humble beginnings like many of our wise High Guides. It was 4/20, sometime around the year 2005, and Vanessa Lavorato made her first edible weed creation.

“I grew up and went to high school in Northern California, and so weed was everywhere. And in the Santa Cruz Hills on 4/20, right after high school, I made my first pot edible, which was an apple pie. I didn’t know anything about dosing or milligrams or decarboxylation or anything like that, someone just gave me a jar of green butter. And I was really into making pies at the time, so I was like, okay, I’m going to whip up a pie from scratch. And I did that.”

Vanessa has been a fan of weed edibles ever since. So much so that she started her own edibles weed company, is co-host on VICELAND’s Bong Appetit, and also showcases weekly pot edible recipes live on The Edible Club. So basically, she’s a pro on the topic. New to weed edibles? Take Vanessa’s advice.

“I always say start low, start at 2-2.5mg until you figure out what the right dose is for you. If you’ve never had pot edibles before, work your way up. You can always take more the next day, like, “Oh hey, you know what? I didn’t feel that.” And also if you’ve never taken an edible before, your body kind of needs to be awakened. Your endocannabinoid system needs to understand what it’s receiving.

So what exactly is happening in the body? Vanessa explains.

“The main difference between smoking and eating is that your liver is metabolizing the cannabinoids, and because of that it feels different. It’s more of a body high. It’s a different way into your body and that has a drastically different effect. It lasts longer, which is great for people who need it for pain management or for sleeping.

I’ve found that if I eat more milligrams, it can last a long time, especially if you eat a lot, definitely longer than when you smoke. It’s your liver that metabolizes the cannabinoids and I always like to say for people who take pharmaceutical prescriptions, it’s kind of like rapid release versus time-release. Pot edibles are more like a time release. When you smoke, you can feel how high you’re going to get pretty quickly, so you can stop. But with edibles, it can take up to an hour or two to feel the effects.”

But what if you eat an edible, wait a few hours, and STILL don’t feel anything?

“It’s slowly moving into your body as you digest the food that you’ve eaten. And that’s also something to take into consideration, is having something before you take an edible. Are you taking it on an empty stomach? It can affect how quickly you feel the effects of the edible.

I’ve found over the years just the difference between my Peanut Butter Bon Bon versus my Fleur de Sel Caramel, the peanut butter usually hits harder. I don’t know why. It might bind with the cannabinoids better. It seems to make sense. That something that is a richer fat, like avocado oil or something like that might bind to the cannabinoids more.”

Vanessa reminds us to take cues from our normal digestive behavior and apply it to ingesting weed edibles.

“So what’s your metabolism like? Everybody is so different. Some people can drink eight cups of coffee and they don’t feel it at all. Another person will take a sip of coffee and they’re bouncing off the walls all day. We experience things differently. And with pot edibles, it’s the same thing.”

Okay so low and slow is the motto, but sometimes those chocolates are just too good. Our expert’s advice for if you overdo it?

“If you feel too high, eat something that does not have any weed in it that will help kind of dilute things in your stomach. Something calming, like having some chamomile tea, doing whatever it is that makes you feel comfortable and cozy. And if that’s going home, call yourself a Lyft and go home. It’s okay.

A bad edible trip is never fun. The best thing to do is have your favorite snacks and a funny movie, get cozy, and surround yourself with chill people. No one who gives you anxiety, do not call your mom. I think for me, the biggest thing, as far as getting over the fear of taking edibles was when I figured out, ‘Oh, it doesn’t last forever. You’re going to be okay.’”

We appreciate the mantra and agree with the sentiment. If it’s weed edibles in your system, you are going to be OKAY. Make sure to watch Vanessa in action on Bong Appetite.

The High Guide LOVES these chocolate cannabis edibles:

Fleur de Sel Caramels from Marigold

Cannabis infused caramels dipped in dark chocolate, with notes of vanilla bean for a divine salty sweet oral delight. LA friends can scoop these up at Cornerstone Collective or Mota. Get Some

Cacao Keto Bites from Pantry

Made only with cacao, coconut sugar, and cocoa butter, these simple 1:1 treats are full of antioxidants providing detoxification and relaxation. Get Some