How to Roll a Joint

Marijuana cigarettes, or "joints", are a popular way to smoke cannabis because they are easy to transport, share and dispose of. And because there is no additional paraphernalia to deal with, joints are a great way for tourists to consume marijuana while on vacation so they can leave all traces of the activity behind when leaving Colorado.

Rolling a successful joint can be a bit tricky, however, especially for those with little to no experience with the process. Joints that are too loose, for example, tend to burn quickly and run thus wasting weed whereas joints that are too tight can make it difficult to get a good pull resulting in lightheadedness rather than an actual marijuana high!

To roll a good joint, there are a few things to consider including finding the right papers, preparing the product and developing the technique. After addressing each of these issues, all that's left is putting them into practice -- over and over and over again.

When it comes to rolling papers, less is almost always more. This means that the smaller and thinner the paper the better your green will both burn and taste. The best papers are therefore typically very thin and contain little to no additional products like bleach or other strong flavors. Hemp papers are especially popular because of their size, consistency and eco-friendly appeal. They also grip well allowing for an easy roll. Popular hemp-based rolling papers include RAW and Big Bambu.

Rice papers (like Elements) are another popular option for the more seasoned roller because of their thin profile and all-natural ingredients, but tend to slip slightly in your fingers making them more of a challenge for novice rollers.

It is also important to find papers that will behave the way you want them to. Rather than budget shop when buying papers, be sure to stick with popular, high-quality products like Randy's or Zig Zags so that you can be sure that your perfectly-rolled doobie will stay together and not run while burning it.

Now that you have your papers, it's time to add your product. Begin by grinding your favorite strain into a fine powder being careful to remove any excess "wood" or stems. This will not only help your joint burn more smoothly, but will keep it flavorful, too.

You can also add concentrated oil, wax or bubble hash, but be sure to distribute these items evenly throughout the joint to keep it from burning inconsistently. (If you are using concentrated cannabis in addition to flower, be sure to let everyone involved in the smoke session know to help avoid over-consumption!)

Finally, consider adding a filter to the end of your joint to keep it from collapsing during your smoke session and to avoid burning your lips after it gets too small. To prepare your filter, simply fold a joint filter or strip of thin card stock into an "M" shape then wrap the remaining bit back around. The resulting filter will typically be inserted into the paper prior to rolling it up, but can be added afterwards, too, if you prefer.

Now it’s time to put it all together.

1. First, hold your paper in your non dominant hand with the glue strip on the top facing towards you. If you will be using a filter and would prefer to add it to your joint before rolling it up, add it now to one side of the paper and sprinkle the remainder of the paper with a layer of ground cannabis. Try to level the product out as evenly as possible, being careful to match the quantity with the size of the filter. If you would like to add concentrates, now is the time to do so also.

2. Using your thumbs to guide the process and your index fingers for support, carefully roll the product back and forth between the folds of the paper. The product will stiffen up as you roll, and will hopefully be even throughout the joint. If there are lumps or crevices, correct them now to avoid an awkward burn later.

3. After the marijuana has taken shape, roll the product all the way down to the side of the paper closest to you and use your thumbs to tuck the edges in. Slowly roll the remaining paper over the rest of the marijuana and seal by wetting the glue strip and rolling it over.

4. After the joint is finished, use a glue strip from a spare rolling paper to seal off any holes then add the filter if you haven't done so already. Finally, twist off any excess paper on the other end and spark your doobie.

Anyone can roll a good joint that will burn slowly and evenly and will offer the perfect hit all the way up to the roach. All it takes is a little freshly ground herb, plenty of rolling papers, a few filters and a LOT of practice. Good luck!

Got any joint rolling tips that you’d like to share? We’d love to hear them.

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