How to roll a joint: Step-by-step guide

Although there are many different ways to consume cannabis, joints are undoubtedly one of the most popular options. Do you know how to roll a joint? Aside from being easy to master, joints are affordable, discreet, portable, and convenient.

 

Ready to discover the art of rolling joints? Join us to learn how to make a cannabis cigarette in six easy steps. You’ll also discover the benefits of using filters, which rolling papers to choose from, and how much weed goes in a joint.

 

Let’s get started!

 

What is a joint?

A joint is a type of weed cigarette. It contains cannabis rolled up in thin natural paper, typically made of hemp, flax, wood pulp, or rice. Once prepared, it’s lit on one side and inhaled through the other.

 

Most marijuana smokers typically refer to any cannabis cigarette as a joint. Did you know there are various types of joints?

 

Here are three different ways to roll up weed:

 

• Joint: Made with natural rolling paper and only contains marijuana.
• Spliff: Made with natural rolling paper and contains cannabis and tobacco.
• Blunt: Made from a hollowed-out cigar or tobacco leaf wraps and only contains marijuana.

 

The addition of tobacco is what separates a traditional joint from the rest. We recommend going tobacco-free when rolling joints to avoid harmful chemicals like tar, arsenic, lead, and nicotine.

 

What can you use to roll a joint?

You only need a couple of items to make a great joint. The essentials include your weed, rolling paper, and a filter.

 

Adding a couple more things can make the experience slightly easier, though. Here’s a full breakdown of what you need to roll a joint:

 

• Cannabis
• A grinder
• Rolling papers
• A pre-made filter or crutch (or the material to make one)
• A chopstick, pencil, or similarly-shaped item

 

Your local stores should stock most of these things. They’re affordable and make joint-rolling a budget-friendly choice.

 

How to choose the right rolling paper

When learning how to roll a joint, it’s imperative to select rolling papers that give you the results you want.

 

Material and size are the two most distinguishing factors between different types of rolling papers. These elements influence the rolling difficulty, burn rate, flavor, and health impacts. As a result, your choice mostly depends on personal preferences.

 

Here’s a brief overview of the different materials used in rolling papers and their corresponding characteristics:

 

	Rolling Difficulty	Burn Rate	Flavor
Hemp	Easy	Moderate	Strong hemp flavor
Wood pulp	Easy	Fast	Strong wood pulp flavor
Rice	Difficult	Slow	Tasteless
Flax	Easy	Moderate	Tasteless
Clear	Difficult	Moderate	Tasteless

 

Hemp papers are a popular option for beginners who are unsure what to use to roll a joint. Aside from making the entire experience cannabis-friendly, they’re thick, easy to handle, and don’t burn too fast. More experienced rollers can experiment with thin rice papers.

 

Once you’ve chosen your preferred paper material, it’s time to select your desired dimensions. Here’s a list of the various paper sizes you can use to roll a good joint:

 

• Single wide: These are the smallest rolling papers on the market. They’re 68–70mm long and 34–36mm wide. Single wides are typically big enough for one person.

 

• 1–1/4": These are the most commonly used rolling papers. They’re 76–78mm long and 45–48mm wide. They can cater to three tokers.

 

• 1–1/2”: These rolling papers can hold almost twice the amount of marijuana as single wides. They’re 76–78mm long and 60–62mm wide. They can accommodate four smokers.

 

• Double wide: These are the widest rolling papers available. They’re 76–78mm long and 63–88mm wide. Double wides aren’t that popular because they have a high paper-to-marijuana ratio.

 

• King: These are the longest rolling papers you can get. They’re 100–110mm long and 55–60mm wide. King size papers are best suited to experienced rollers.

 

How to roll a joint: The simple steps

Now that you know how to select the right rolling paper material and size, it’s time to learn how to make a joint. This technique requires some trial and error, but you’ll be an expert weed roller in no time with some practice.

 

Here’s the easiest way to roll a joint in six simple steps:

 

Step 1: Grind your cannabis

 

 

Start by crushing your dry cannabis down to a fine and consistent texture. Use scissors or your hands to break it down, but you won’t get the benefits of a grinder.

 

This handy tool helps you avoid sticky fingers, offers a smoother smoke, and creates an even burn. Make sure the pieces are the same size at the end and don’t forget to remove the seeds and stems. Here you can learn everything about cleaning a grinder. 

 

Step 2: Create a joint crutch or filter

 

The next part of rolling a joint calls for a filter, crutch, or tip, which are all the same thing. Although this step isn’t necessary, it offers plenty of benefits—like stability and burn-free fingers.

 

One-time filters are made from a sturdy piece of paper, while reusable ones come in wood, glass, silicone, and ceramic. Some people use pre-rolled filters, but a handmade one rolls weed equally well.

 

Start with a thin yet stiff piece of rectangular paper about half an inch wide. We recommend using a rolling tip, which comes in a pack of about 20–50 pieces and only costs a couple of dollars. Other alternatives include business cards or thin pieces of cardboard.

 

Make a half-inch fold on the shorter side, then create an accordion shape by folding in and out about three times. Next, wrap the remaining piece around the accordion part. Place your filter on the left end of the rolling paper before continuing to the next step of rolling a joint.

 

Step 3: Fill the joint with cannabis

 

 

Grab a piece of rolling paper and hold it with the adhesive side at the top facing you. Gently make it into a V-shape, ensuring you place your filter on the far left side.

 

Sprinkle your crushed cannabis evenly inside the paper, but don’t overpack it—too much flower makes it harder to roll. You can create a cone-shaped joint by adding less bud toward the filter and more at the other end. Remember to roll diagonally in this case.

 

Tip: Hold the paper with two fingers in a taco-like shape while learning how to roll a joint.

 

Step 4: Pack the joint

 

Once your marijuana is in place, gently pinch the paper and roll it back and forth between your fingers. This action creates your joint’s cone or cylinder shape and makes it more manageable.

 

Step 5: Roll the joint

 

Now, it’s time for the most crucial part of learning how to roll weed. Tuck the non-sticky side over the cannabis and into the paper, rolling it towards the adhesive. Ensure you keep the shape the whole time. We recommend starting with the filter side to make it easier.

 

When you’re happy with the roll, wet the sticky side and carefully seal your joint. Don’t make it too tight or too loose—the latter causes an uneven burn while the former restricts airflow.

 

Pro tip: Use your thumbs to roll while your index fingers support the shape of the paper.

 

Step 6: Finish your joint

 

The final part of learning how to roll a joint involves some finishing touches. Use a long, cylindrical item like a pen or chopstick to push the marijuana down and fill any empty spaces. 

 

Add any weed that may have fallen out during rolling. Twist the top tip to prevent leakage, and your joint is ready for consumption. Light the twisted side, and inhale through the filter.

 

How much weed should you put in a joint?

If you’re new to mastering the art of how to roll a jay, we recommend opting for single wide or 1–1/4" rolling papers. This size typically holds around 0.5g of crushed marijuana, comfortably accommodating a few people.

 

By comparison, pre-rolled joints at most dispensaries usually contain 0.5–1g of cannabis. Test your skills with larger papers and higher amounts of weed when you’re more confident with rolling joints.

 

The difference between using a filter vs. no filter

Filters play an important role in rolling weed. Aside from creating a better-shaped joint, they offer a myriad of benefits that enhance your smoking experience.

 

Here are some of the advantages of using a filter in your joints:

 

• It provides a secure spot for you to hold while placing your weed
• It increases airflow and ensures a more even burn
• It prevents your lips or fingers from burning
• It allows you to smoke the whole joint without leaving any leftovers
• It keeps the joint from crumbling
• It’s more hygienic when sharing a smoke and reduces sogginess
• It stops tiny weed particles from entering your mouth

 

Should you mix CBD into your joints?

CBD is the second most popular marijuana compound after THC. Are there any benefits to rolling a joint with cannabidiol?

 

Here’s how you can incorporate this cannabinoid into your joints:

 

Therapeutic benefits

Individual consumer reports and scientific studies have shown that CBD may contain plenty of holistic properties, including:

 

• Antioxidant
• Anxiolytic
• Anti-nausea
• Anti-inflammatory
• Mood lifting

 

Adding CBD to your rolled up weed could help you take advantage of these therapeutic effects.

 

More affordable

Learning how to roll a joint takes time. Since premium cannabis strains are relatively pricey, you probably don’t want to waste any precious buds on unsmokable joints.

 

Hemp-derived CBD is much cheaper, so you can practice your skills without worrying about wastage. Cut your usual amount of cannabis for joints in half and substitute the rest with a cannabidiol flower.

 

Lower the potency of high THC strains

Mixing a high THC strain with some CBD reduces its psychedelic potency and prevents any overwhelming sensations. It also lowers the risk of unwanted side effects, like paranoia and anxiety. When learning how to smoke a joint for the first time, it’s important to stick to low doses.

 

Roll up and smoke up

Learning how to roll a joint takes some time and practice. Luckily, the reward is a lifelong skill that’ll come in handy at least a few times.

 

Ready to ditch the pre-rolled joints and make your own customizable ones? Follow our easy six-step guide and wow your friends with your newly acquired skills. Don’t forget to check out our blog to learn more about the world of cannabis. And go to our cannabis seeds store to order some seeds to grow at home.