Grower Stories #73: Rahul Lavingia

Tia Moskalenko, author of the AskGrowers blog, brings a unique blend of content to her readers. She is known for conducting insightful interviews with key figures in the cannabis industry, including brand representatives, manufacturers, and experts. In addition to her interview skills, Tia has a keen focus on CBD. She expertly curates product selections and reviews, offering her readers detailed insights into the various effects and benefits of CBD. Tia's ability to combine in-depth interviews with comprehensive CBD analysis makes her a valuable asset to the cannabis community, offering a well-rounded perspective on the industry.

Published

Apr 01 2021

Updated

Nov 15 2023

Interviews

454

4 min

I Smoke With Genie: An Interview With Rahul Lavingia of Premium Bong Brand "Stoned Genie"

In today’s digital age, you can buy anything online. So it only makes sense to get your bongs, dab rigs, glass pipes, grinders, and more online too, right? Well, that’s where Stoned Genie comes in. Rahul Lavingia, founder of Stoned Genie, sits down with AskGrowers to talk about their products, their origins, and the best products for first-time smokers. #growerstories

Tia (AskGrowers) : How did you start Stoned Genie?

Rahul Lavingia : Stoned Genie started as a side hustle. My Dad had a brick-and-mortar smoke shop and had some extra inventory that wasn’t selling as fast in the shop. So I decided to try and sell the glass online and the rest was history.

Tia : You have a wide range of products on your website. Can you give advice for a beginner on what might be the first stoners set to buy and why?

Rahul : I would say if you are getting your first bong, you want to keep it simple. Our traditional 10” beaker base is perfect for all levels. The design allows perfect functionality and it has an ice catcher in the neck of the bong. So if you are a beginner an ice catcher is going to be super crucial for you because that’s really going to cool down the smoke and not be as harsh.

Tia : Can you tell us what’s the difference between your Zongs and Dab Rigs? In which way is more convenient to smoke?

Rahul : Zongs are more for dry flowers and Dab Rigs are geared more for people who smoke concentrates.

Tia : What’s your cannabis consumption routine? Can you share your favorite ways to consume cannabis?

Rahul : I’m honestly a very simple cannabis smoker. If I’m smoking at my house, I just use a regular bong. If I’m out with friends, I’ll usually take a few joints with me since they are more compact and easy to carry.

Tia : What’s the healthiest way to consume cannabis? Is a bong healthier because it filters the cannabis through water?

Rahul : I would say it's definitely easier on your lungs. As far as the science behind it, I would say there is a lot of information out there and just make sure you feel okay after you smoke.

Tia : What should we pay attention to when choosing the bong/pipe/bubbler?

Rahul : I would say definitely look at how you want to use this piece of glass. Is it going to be something you use at home, travel with, or need something super discreet? If you know what you are going to use it for, it makes it a lot easier to pick which one to go with!

Tia : Are there any brands you appreciate and follow in your state?

Rahul : I would say I really like what Stiiizy is doing here in southern California. They are pioneering a lot of things in the industry and it’s fun to see.

Tia : What would be your advice to people who want to start their own cannabis brand? Any tips and tricks on how to avoid difficulties in the early stages?

Rahul : I would say it’s extremely hard and an uphill battle. Nobody is in your corner due to federal regulations. So you can get your content taken down, have an issue with credit card processing, and a long list of issues. But if you are resilient and can dedicate yourself to the grind you can have a chance.

Tia : If you could smoke with anyone in this world, who would that be and why?

Rahul : [tooltip title="Philip Douglas Jackson" content="Coach and executive in the NBA.Former professional basketball player."]Phil Jackson[/tooltip], the championship-winning NBA basketball coach who coached [tooltip title="Kobe Bean Bryant" content="Los Angeles Lakers professional basketball player."]Kobe Bryant[/tooltip] and [tooltip title="Michael Jeffrey Jordan" content="Former professional basketball player and businessman."]Michael Jordan[/tooltip].