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How to Roll the Perfect Joint

Roll up to the function with out-of-this-world rolling skills — with help from an expert.

close up of a man's hands preparing marihuana joint Westend61

By Johnny Brayson and Amanda Reed

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These days, plenty of cool weed gadgets promise a cleaner, more potent high, but joints remain one of the cheapest, and most portable, ways to ingest cannabis — no need to stuff bulky equipment like a bong into a backpack.

And while there are just as many ways to roll a joint as there are weed strains, the standard pinner, or cylinder, method produces the most timeless and time-tested results. Here’s how to do it.

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What You’ll Need

  • Cannabis of your choice
  • Grinder
  • Rolling papers
  • Tamping stick or pen (to help pack the joint)
  • Lighter
  • Filter (optional)
  • Rolling tray (optional)

Step 1: Grind your flower

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Sure, you can use your fingers to break up bud. But a grinder will yield a more even consistency — and a smoother smoke.
Rocky89

Break down your cannabis into an herb-like consistency — think, oregano. You can use your fingers or scissors in a pinch, but a good grinder offers an even consistency and smoother burn.

Step 2: Fold Your Paper

Before you add any cannabis, fold your rolling paper into a diagonal using your index fingers and thumbs.

“The gumline should be at the top facing you,” says Carolyn Chu, founder and CEO of Papers + Ink. “You’ll know where this is because there is a slight shine.”

Then, if you’re using one, place your filter on either end of the paper.

Step 3: Fill ‘Er Up

The ratio of weed to rolling paper is usually one-third to one-half a gram of weed to a single one-and-a-quarter-inch wide rolling paper (also abbreviated as 1 1/4, the most common rolling paper size). The larger the rolling paper, the more weed you should use.

Evenly distribute the cannabis into the rolling paper, making sure not to overstuff it. If you want to make a cone-shaped joint, add less flower toward the filter and more flower toward the other end.

Step 4: Roll Your Joint

With the adhesive-coated side still facing you, pin the paper between your thumb and index finger and roll it back and forth to pack the cannabis into a cylindrical or cone shape (roll diagonally for the latter).

“Start tucking the paper tightly around the filter first, then follow the tuck throughout the roll until fully rolled,” Chu says.

Step 5: Seal and Tamp

Lick the gumline to seal the joint, starting at the mouthpiece end. Finally, use a tamping stick, pen, chopstick or something similar to pack down the cannabis toward the mouthpiece. If you lost weed while rolling your joint, now is the time to add it back in.

Step 6: Twist and Light

hand holding a spliff in a sunny home environment with a cannabis plant casting a shadow onto wooden tableCatherine Falls Commercial

Twist the excess paper at the tip of the joint. Spark up the other end with a lighter and inhale through the other. Enjoy with friends or by yourself.

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Tips for Perfecting Your Joint

  1. Thicker paper makes for an easier roll. Start out with hemp and move to thinner varieties once you get comfortable. Same with size: don’t start out with a king-sized paper.
  2. Take your time. Does the cannabis look even? Is the roll to your liking before you lick? Evaluating your joint as you go can save you time and papers.
  3. No need to hock a full-on loogie when licking the adhesive. A little moisture will go a long way to seal your joint and prevent it from getting soggy.
  4. Prevent “canoeing” (when one side of the joint burns more quickly than the rest) by slowly rotating the joint while lighting it.
  5. Practice makes perfect. No one was born a master roller.
  6. Invest in quality gear.

Should You Use a Filter?

A filter, sometimes called a “tip” or “crutch,” can be made DIYed from a sturdy piece of paper, like a business card, but head shops sell paper of the ideal size and thickness.

And no, you don’t technically need one. However, experts like Chu highly recommend their usage.

“Filters not only improve smokability in maximizing airflow, they filter out some of the tar and carcinogens,” Chu says. They also keep your fingertips from smelling and give you a base to hold so that the tip doesn’t end up being soggy in saliva. “A real party foul in smoking etiquette,” Chu adds.

Joint vs Spliffs

A joint is cannabis rolled up in a thin rolling paper made of hemp, rice straw, wood pulp or flax. One end of the joint is lit with fire (usually from a lighter) and the cannabis is ingested by inhaling from the non-lit end.

Joints are not to be confused with their brethren: spliffs (a roll filled with a cannabis-tobacco mix) and blunts (a roll with cannabis inside of a cigar wrapper made of tobacco).

Some of Our Favorite Gear

Products in the Guide

Papers + Ink Rolling Papers

Papers + Ink makes some of the loudest rolling papers you can buy. They’re also of extremely high quality and handcrafted in Los Angeles, California.

Higher Standards Aerospaced Grinder

The diamond-shaped teeth of this affordable grinder pulverize even the stickiest weed strains, resulting in a smooth, even consistency.

Honest Rolling Tray and Storage Station

Available in three sizes, this rolling tray is as helpful as it is handsome. The subtle drain makes it easier to round up stray flower or kief.

Edie Parker Tamping Stick

Use this tamping stick to pack down your joint but keep it close by. The flower end isn’t just for decoration; it doubles as a roach clip so you can enjoy your joint to the fullest.

Papers + Ink Star Filters

These aren’t your typical filters. They’re made from wood-pulp fibers and feature a cutout in the shape of a star for subtle flare.

Dissim Inverted Lighter

This premium lighter is easy to grip, easy to light and is angled in such a way that you won’t burn your finger when you trade that joint for a bowl.

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