3 Interesting Ways to Roll A Joint

In 2018, for press junkets ahead of the 10th anniversary of the stoner flick Pineapple Express, writer, actor and weed entrepreneur Seth Rogen shared that he and Pineapple Express co-writer Evan Goldberg had to roll a bit more than 100 joints shaped like crosses because no one else on set knew how to do it.

In Pineapple Express, cross-shaped joints were a plot point. The average consumer doesn’t really need to roll joints these days given all the awesome pre-rolls on the market. But if you have to roll one (and you have a penchant for origami) why not change it up a bit? Let’s take a look at three interesting ways to roll a joint. 

If you’ve got rolling papers, you can make a shape other than your run-of-the-mill conical joint, as proven by smokeable art guru and competitive joint roller Tony Greenhand (check out his work on Instagram @tonygreenhand). Some of his work include joints crafted to look like ice cream cones, Spider Man, sea turtles, and ironically, the Washington Monument - filled with more than 2 ounces of weed.

One of Tony's pieces of smokable art. photo credit

Very few of us will reach Tony Greenhand rolling status, but Seth Rogen-esque levels of joint rolling can be achieved. There are loads of how-to videos on YouTube showing the step-by-step to roll uniquely-shaped joints. Some shapes you could try are the aforementioned cross joint, a double barrel shotgun joint, braided joints, scorpions, Ankhs, Dutch tulips, plumber’s joint, the windmill, and pinners.

Let’s say you just want to roll one up and not worry about creating a tiny joint sculpture. Fair enough. You can switch it up by simply swapping your normal rolling paper for another wrapping that is also safe to combust and inhale.

Take the humble leaf (well, not every leaf). Natural leaves like banana have been used for hundreds, if not thousands, of years for human cannabis consumption.

Palm leaf wraps are a great alternative to cigarillos. photo credit

In today’s competitive cannabis market aiming to please consumers and ensure brand loyalty, there are a few leaf wraps available, including Palm Leaf Wrap from Cordia Leaf, Toasted Palm Leaf Wrap from Tendu Leaf, banana leaves, and even Fronto leaves.

Keep in mind, rolling your joint in leaves will burn differently from what you’re used to, and are quite likely to have a different taste, aroma, and effect. 

Beyond the leaf, consider rolling a joint with dried rose petals to add that floral scent and aroma to your ganga. First off, you’ll need some food-grade rose petals, which you’ll put in the oven on a low broil to remove excess moisture. With a little bit of saliva, stick a few petals together to reach your desired length, add finely ground cannabis, and roll it up. To seal the deal, add a bit more saliva and toss it back in the oven for a few seconds to complete the drying process.

Another simple non-leaf alternative is the dried corn husk, readily available especially in late summer and early fall. Simply select a length of husk, add some weed, roll it up, seal it with saliva, and/or tie it together with spare fibers, and voila! Corn husk joint.

Get creative with your joint rolling materials! photo credit

Theoretically, you could roll weed in nearly any mostly dry leaf that will keep its shape and stick together, such as coconut leaf, bay leaf, bamboo leaf, and tobacco leaf.

However, before you head out to the yard to pluck some leaves or rose petals from the nearest bushes and trees, you should do your research on the plant to understand any potential risks. Pesticides and herbicides, for example, can be very dangerous to consume. Some common pesticides like Monsanto’s Roundup have been statistically linked to cancers such as non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. 

Yes, Virginia, there really are interesting ways to roll a joint. But before you use an alternative source, make sure you understand what you’re getting into. There are a lot of poisonous plants and leaves in our environment, so proceed with caution.

Creative joint rolling can be a fun experience for any cannabis consumer who enjoys twisting one up, and can even become a cool hobby as your skills progress. Start basic, go slow, and be prepared to use up some papers as you practice.

Try food-grade rose petals, corn husks, or dried coconut leaf, bay leaf, bamboo leaf, or tobacco leaf. If worse really comes to worse, you could roll a joint in a business card or notebook paper, but this is definitely not recommended. 

If the rose petals are food-grade, then smoking a joint of rose petals will add a nice floral kick to your joint.

Almost any mostly dry leaf that will keep its shape and stick together could work. But it’s important to understand the risks, some of which could be fatal. Unless you’re a botanist, skip the risk.

What are your most creative joints? Share in the comments!