Vanessa Lavorato’s Cannabis Cookbook Is Making Edibles Fun, Flavorful—and Way Less Scary

Vanessa Lavorato’s Cannabis Cookbook Is Making Edibles Fun, Flavorful—and Way Less Scary

If you’ve ever had a “too much weed brownie” moment, you know that cooking with cannabis can feel more intimidating than fun. But Vanessa Lavorato, L.A.’s beloved cannabis confectioner and founder of The Edibles Club, wants to change that—and her new cookbook is here to help.

Released this week, How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time: A Cannabis Cookbook is the ultimate guide for anyone curious about DIY edibles. Whether you’re a seasoned stoner chef or just learning how to decarb flower, Lavorato’s book is part science, part culinary creativity, and all about making cannabis approachable and delicious.

Edibles Without the Guesswork

Lavorato has been in the cannabis game since 2010, when she founded Marigold Sweets, her boutique brand of THC-infused toffee caramels. Since then, she’s co-hosted Vice’s Bong Appétit, launched The Edibles Club cooking show, and built a following of 100k+ on social media. Through it all, her focus has stayed the same: make cannabis cooking enjoyable and stress-free.

“The biggest rookie mistake is dumping in too much weed,” she says. “The key is dosing low enough so people can eat with grace.”

To ensure consistent potency in every recipe, she worked with two L.A. testing labs—Encore Labs and Caligreen Laboratory—running over 200 lab tests to get her THC doses dialed in. This level of accuracy means readers can confidently whip up everything from infused queso and Bloody Marys to cookies and meatballs—without the fear factor.

Meet the ‘Mother Infusions’

Before diving into the recipes, the cookbook walks you through the basics: how cannabis works in the body, why decarboxylation is crucial, and how to create the four foundational “mother infusions”:

• Cannabutter

• Cannabis oil

• Cannabis-infused alcohol (tinctures)

• Cannamilk

Once you’ve mastered these, you’re ready to tackle the recipes—organized by category and styled with vibrant, eye-catching photography that makes the entire book feel like a celebration of food and flower.

Cannabis for the Culinary Curious

Many of the recipes require little more than a kitchen scale, parchment paper, and a sense of adventure. From drinks and dips to snacks and sweets, there’s something for every palate—and every dosage preference. The book also includes:

• Tips for entertaining with edibles

• Gifting ideas for cannabis-infused treats

• A visual feast of styled dishes (think floating meatballs and lounging potatoes)

• Stories from Lavorato’s 15-year edible journey

Why This Cookbook Matters

In a world where cannabis is becoming more mainstream, How to Eat Weed and Have a Good Time offers a refreshing take: it’s playful, precise, and personal. Lavorato blends the trustworthiness of a seasoned chef with the warmth of a friend who wants to make sure you have a great time—and not a wild ride.

So if you're looking for a way to elevate your cannabis experience without overdoing it, this might just be your new kitchen essential.

Final Takeaway:

Vanessa Lavorato’s cookbook isn’t just a collection of recipes—it’s a guide to making cannabis cooking joyful, safe, and delicious. Whether you're prepping for a dinner party or just want to experiment with something new, this book makes sure you do it with confidence—and flavor.