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How To Roll a Joint? (Tools, Process, Safety Precautions, & More)

Pre-rolls rank second in sales, just behind flower, with a 36.5% increase, significantly outpacing other cannabis product categories. Pre-rolls offer easy access to smoking weed, but nothing connects you to the community quite like learning how to roll a joint.

Many cannabis users take pride in the skill of rolling a joint. If you want to feel a sense of belonging in the community, you might want to learn this skill. Rolling a joint can be easy, but you’ll first need to know the basics. Read on to learn more. 

How to roll a joint

What is a Joint?

Joints, often referred to as “marijuana cigarettes” by those less familiar with cannabis, are one of the most common methods of consuming cannabis. They are portable and easy to use.

Users hand-roll joints using rolling papers, though they can also be machine-rolled. Cannabis joints contain only cannabis, without any additional substances. Weed joints often include a crutch or filter at the drawing end for stability and to enable users to smoke the joint thoroughly and cleanly.

The Art of Joint Rolling

Pre-rolls exist, but what if you want to try a strain unavailable in pre-roll form? Or you prefer to buy bulk flower because it’s more cost-effective than purchasing pre-rolls. In either case, your best option is to learn how to roll the perfect joint.

Mastering the art of joint rolling is a rite of passage for cannabis users. You can roll the perfect joint every time with the right supplies, techniques, and a little practice.

Materials Needed

The first step in rolling joints is to gather the necessary materials. You can obtain them from an online dispensary.

  • Ground Cannabis Flower: Dried cannabis flower is available in various strains and THC levels. If you prefer, you can also find high-CBD flower. The best place to find high-quality cannabis flower is through an online dispensary Canada.
  • Rolling Paper: Rolling papers are thin, lightweight sheets for rolling cannabis or other herbs into cigarettes or joints. When selecting the right paper, consider qualities such as slow, even burning and a lack of undesirable flavours. These papers come in various sizes, quantities, and flavours and are materials from rice, wood pulp, flax, and hemp papers.
  • Grinder (optional): Before rolling a joint, you’ll need to break down your cannabis. A grinder is preferable as it produces smaller, consistent pieces and forms a smoother and more even smoke.
  • Crutch or Filter Tips: Filter tips, also referred to as filters, tips, or crutches, are sturdy paper pieces attached to one end of a joint. They are a barrier to prevent loose embers from reaching your mouth while smoking. They also contribute to a more stable structure during the rolling process.
  • Rolling Tray: A rolling tray is an excellent addition to your joint rolling setup because it helps you stay organized by keeping everything in one place.

The Process of Rolling a Joint

Now that you have gathered all your materials, it’s time to roll your joint. Your first attempt may not be as perfect as expected, but don’t worry. With practice, you’ll learn how to use the right amount of flower and roll properly.

Grind Your Cannabis Flower

Use a grinder to separate and evenly grind the flower. If you don’t have a grinder, carefully pick apart the bud with your fingers. Be gentle to avoid damaging the cannabis trichomes. Remove any stems or seeds, and ensure the pieces are roughly uniform in size.

Make or Add a Filter Tip

Many online dispensaries offer pre-made crutches or joint tips to serve as joint mouthpieces. If you don’t have any available, you can easily make your own:

  1. Take a piece of paper or cardstock and tear off a strip about half an inch wide (¾ inch for king-sized papers).
  2. Fold the paper into an accordion shape and wrap the remaining portion around the accordion folds.
  3. Place the filter at one end of your rolling paper.

Fill the Rolling Paper With The Ground Flower

Place the rolling paper adhesive side down on the rolling tray. Position the crutch/ filter where you want the mouthpiece to be, then sprinkle ground cannabis in a line along the paper. Spread the flower evenly without overfilling the joint.

Use less weed near the mouthpiece for a cone-shaped cannabis joint and increase towards the tip, gradually tapering as you go.

How much weed you can use varies widely based on personal preference and available supply. There are three categories of joints:

  • Small: These are the smallest joints, often called pinners or dog walkers. They contain 0.25 – 0.5 grams of cannabis and are for a single-person session.
  • Standard: The average or basic joint, rolled with standard-sized rolling paper, contains approximately 0.5 – 1 gram of cannabis.
  • King-size: It can hold 1 – 2 grams or even more of ground cannabis.

Start Rolling the Paper

Make sure the adhesive-coated side of the paper faces away from you. Next, pick up the cannabis-filled paper. Pinch the paper into a taco shape using your thumbs and index fingers. Gently shift the paper back and forth to distribute the bud evenly. Press down lightly to pack it.

If a flower falls out, don’t worry—you can stuff it back in later. Shape the weed into a cylinder, but ensure it’s neither loose nor tight.

Seal the Joint

Start by tucking the non-adhesive side of the rolling paper over the weed. Slowly roll it towards the adhesive side, gently tucking in the bud as you proceed. Roll using your thumb and support the outer areas with your index finger.

Lick or moisten the sticky adhesive. Begin sealing the joint from the mouthpiece end to ensure a slow and even seal.

Pack the Content

Pack the open end to ensure an even burn. A pen works well, but you can use any thin object. If you’re on the move, try using the tip of your shoelace, the drawstring on your hoodie, or a small stick. Finally, twist the excess paper at the joint’s end to seal everything securely.

Common Issues You Might Encounter

It’s common to encounter difficulties the first time you roll a joint. Learning to troubleshoot these issues will enhance your skills for the next attempt. You can progress to more advanced types, such as a cross joint, as you improve.

Fast Burn Due to Flower Quality

Achieving a slow-burning joint depends primarily on the quality of your cannabis. Well-cured buds burn evenly and steadily. Improperly cured buds burn inconsistently, while overly dry ones may combust too quickly.

Properly cured cannabis not only improves joint quality but also ensures a smoother, more enjoyable smoking session.

To ensure your buds are well-cured, choose a dispensary that consistently offers high-quality cannabis.

Low-Quality Grinder

Using a low-quality grinder often results in cannabis flower that is either too chunky or overly powdered. Use a high-quality grinder to achieve the perfect consistency for easier rolling and smoother smoking. These grinders effortlessly transform buds into finely ground weed. A well-grounder flower ensures an even burn and easy draw.

Too Tight or Too Loose

Achieving the optimal tightness in your joint is necessary for a good smoke. Loosely rolled joints burn faster, while well-packed ones burn more evenly. To enhance tightness after rolling, you can employ a technique called “backstrap weed rolling” by inserting a toothpick, pen, or similar thin object into the top of the joint. Lightly tapping the tip on a hard surface ensures a compact structure.

Avoid rolling too tightly, as this can hinder airflow and make smoking difficult. If airflow becomes an issue, use the toothpick to create a small tunnel from the top to the tip of the joint. It will allow for better airflow. Aim for a balance that promotes a smooth, controlled burn.

Not Moisturing the Paper

Moisture helps the paper stick and seal properly and prevents it from unravelling during rolling. When moistening the paper, use a small amount of saliva or water to make it pliable but not overly wet. This ensures that your joint burns evenly and smoothly. Avoid soaking the paper too much, as this can lead to soggy joints that are hard to light and smoke effectively.

How to roll a joint in Canada

Cannabis Flower to Pack Into Your Pre-rolled Cone or Rolling Paper

If you’re interested in rolling your joint using hemp or rice paper to experience the flavour or to learn a new skill, you’ll need the essential part: the flower itself.

StrainTypeTHC PercentageFlavour
Bubba KushIndica22%Vanilla, Apple
Jelly BeanHybrid24%Citrus, Mango
Lemon HazeSativa26%Citrus

Not keen on rolling a joint? You can buy pre-rolled joints to enjoy cannabis conveniently and instantly.

Weed Pre-RollTypeContentAmount
AAA – PreRoll Pack – 10  Sativa, Indica, and Hybrid1 gram10 pieces
AAA – PreRoll Pack – 3Indica1 gram3 pieces

Pre-Rolled Cannabis Joint, Cured Flower, and All of Your Cannabis Needs at GrassLife

GrassLife is an online weed dispensary offering a wide range of products, from convenient pre-rolled joints to potent concentrates. Our user-friendly interface lets you easily browse and purchase your favourite cannabis products delivered right to your door. With affordable pricing and discounts available, we are your one-stop shop for an enjoyable cannabis experience.

Frequently Asked Questions

What to do if only the top half of my rolled joint is burning?

Canoeing happens when only one side of the joint burns unevenly. To prevent this, twist the joint slowly as you light it.

Be patient to achieve a long-lasting, consistently burning cherry. Once evenly lit, take a few short puffs to ensure the cherry forms completely. Properly lit, the joint must continue burning evenly without extra effort.

If your joint still canoes despite careful lighting, consider rolling it more tightly to promote even burning.

Can you double-wrap joints?

Yes, you can. It involves using two rolling papers, which some prefer for a slower burn or increased durability. There are two common methods to achieve this:

  1. Overlap method: This involves overlapping two papers and then rolling them together.
  2. Layer method: Roll a joint with one piece of paper and then wrap it again with another.

How much THC is in a joint?

On average, joints contain anywhere from 60 to 150 mg of THC or more.

To calculate the THC content in your rolled joint, start by weighing the rolling paper and filter separately. Subtract this combined weight from the total weight of your joint to determine the weight of the flower inside.

Once you have the flower weight in milligrams, use the following formula to find the total THC content:

The total milligrams of THC equals the weight of the joint in milligrams multiplied by the potency percentage of THC.

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