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There are countless ways to consume cannabis, but none are as iconic as the joint. It’s great for sharing, it travels well, and you don’t need any fancy equipment to make one yourself — with little more than some cannabis, a grinder, a crutch, and papers, you can have a perfect joint ready for action in a matter of minutes.
But you’ll need a little bit of know-how for that to happen. While rolling a joint is relatively easy, it’s only simple once you know how to do it. But don’t let that fact dishearten you; no one’s born with the ability to roll joints. Even Snoop Dogg had to learn.
And if millions of people have learned how to roll a joint, then you can too. On this page, we’ll run through everything you need to know about rolling a joint, including what you’ll need, handy tips that will guide you towards success, and a step-by-step guide.
Rolling a Joint: The Goal
First up, let’s outline what you’re trying to achieve. Having an idea of what a successful joint should look and feel like will make your own efforts more straightforward since you’ll know when you’ve done the perfect job, and when you might have to try again.
In general, however, the goal isn’t to go for the perfect joint. That’ll come in time. So long as it’s smokeable (as in, it won’t fall apart when you’re passing it to your friends), then you’re good. Ideally, your joint will be tightly packed and produce a smooth, even burn. If you’ve done that, then no one’s going to make any comments when you pass them the joint.
What You’ll Need to Roll a Joint
The magic of joints is that you really don’t need any specialist equipment. So long as you’ve got some good weed and a grinder, both of which are available online, then you’ll be good to go. Everything else can probably be found in a corner store, especially in major cities like New York.
So, what do you need to roll a joint?
Cannabis
Cannabis grinder
Rolling papers
Crutch
A pen/shoelace/Clipper lighter (optional).
Note that not all rolling papers can vary widely. If you’re learning how to roll a joint for a group environment, then opt for king-size papers. 1 ½ papers, slightly wider than standard rolling papers, can be a little easier to handle than the smallest option available, which may be useful if you’re a beginner.
How to Roll a Joint
Now that you’ve got all your suppliers, you’re ready for the challenging fun part! We’re going to run you through an easy-to-follow guide on how to roll a joint, but remember, rolling a joint can be tricky, so don’t get too disheartened if you don’t create an A+ joint on your first attempt. You’ll have other opportunities! Just stick to our guides, and eventually, you’ll be a seasoned joint roller.
Grind Up Your Herb
You don’t necessarily need a grinder to roll a joint — that is to say, if you find yourself in the wild without one, you can probably still create a smokable joint provided you have all the other supplies.
But if you’re trying to learn how to roll a good joint, then there’s no doubt about it: you’ll need a grinder. Grinding up your weed makes rolling the joint easier and provides a smoother smoking experience.
So, step one: place your weed in your grinder, and grind away until it’s evenly cut up.
Create Your Filter
Your joint will need a filter, otherwise known as a crutch. You can make a filter out of many things — any piece of thick paper will do. Most people use the packaging of their rolling papers, or you can use a cut-up business card. Most head shops also sell packs of filters, too.
Whatever you use, you’ll have to create the filter. To do this, roll it in a zig-zag shape halfway, and then roll it normally. You’ll place the filter on the mouth end of the joint.
Lay the Cannabis on the Paper
First up: make sure the sticky part of the paper (the part you’ll lick) is facing inwards, towards where the filter (and soon the weed) is. If it’s facing outward, you’ll have to redo the joint later on.
Once your filter is in place at the mouth-end of the paper, you’ll be ready to add the weed. How much weed you should use will depend on what you’re hoping to achieve from the smoking experience. Most people use between half a gram and a full gram. Don’t worry if you’re trying to save some of your weed for later — you don’t need to smoke the joint in one sitting.
Ensure that the cannabis is generally evenly distributed along the paper. It’ll help produce a consistent burn. You can add slightly more to the top end of the joint if you’re looking for that classic ‘cone joint’ look. If it’s your first attempt at rolling a joint, then be mindful not to use too much weed — it’s much more difficult to roll when cannabis is overflowing from the paper!
Gently Roll the Joint
Actually rolling the joint is the part of the process that most people struggle with. Place your fingertips on the outer part of both sides of the joint, towards the top of the packed weed, and then gently roll it into shape.
It’s a bit confusing at first, but you’ll get the hang of it. You’re trying to put the packed weed into a circular shape, which will allow you to roll up the rest of the paper.
Seal the Joint
You’re getting close to having a perfectly rolled joint! Alas, sealing the thing can be a little tricky. You should roll up the joint until the non-sticky side is tucked under the sticky side.
Next, slowly and carefully lick along the sticky part. Once you’ve done that, complete the final little bit of the roll, and the joint will be sealed in place. You don’t need to make the sticky part too wet, so don’t get overboard. As long as it’s slightly moist, it’ll seal up.
Pack it
Once the joint has been sealed, use a tip to pack the weed down. This will help to produce an even burn. You can use many things as the tip, including the end of a shoelace, a pen, or a chopstick. Just insert it into the top end of the joint and gently push the weed down.
Enjoy
Et voila: you are done, and you can now consume your joint. If you’re planning to save your joint for later, then twist off the open end of the joint — it’ll help to keep your cannabis fresh.
Tips on How to Roll a Great Joint
People often struggle to roll a joint, and that’s understandable — it is a skill, after all, but unfortunately, there’s no class you can take that’ll make an expert joint roller. It’s something that you have to learn by doing.
You can make your goal of learning how to roll a joint all the more straightforward by avoiding making some of the common mistakes. Follow the tips below, and you’ll be a pro in no time.
Use the Right Amount
Using the right amount of cannabis is essential when rolling a joint, especially if you’re new to the game. In general, you’ll want to use between half a gram and a full gram, though it’ll depend on the length of the paper you’re using.
It’s much more difficult to roll when there’s too much weed. And in fact, it’s also much more difficult if there’s not enough weed, too, since it’ll be difficult to shape and roll the joint.
Use Quality Cannabis
Have some old, dry cannabis around? You’ll be better off using a bong or pipe, since dry cannabis does not roll well. If you’re looking for fresh, quality cannabis, then check out the selection we have here at Cigalar.
Don’t Stress
It’s unlikely that you’re in a race against the clock to roll your joint. If you take your time and engage with the process, then you will roll the joint. People are more likely to make mistakes when they’re getting frustrated with the process!
Remember: Practice Makes Perfect!
Your first joint is unlikely to be a masterpiece, and that’s OK. So long as it’s “good enough,” then you’re fine. As with most things, the more you roll joints, the better you’ll become. Keep at it, and eventually, you’ll be able to do it on cruise control.
Pre-Rolls: A Great Alternative to Rolling a Joint
If you really struggle to roll joints but still want to have the joint smoking experience, then consider buying pre-rolls. These handy products take all the sting out of learning how to roll a joint while still providing all the advantages.
But if you’re planning to be a smoker for years, then we think it’s worthwhile learning how to properly roll a joint. Best of luck!
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