(This video is courtesy of leafly.com)
In the cannabis culture, knowing how to roll a perfect joint is considered a talent that not many are gifted with. Only when you don’t know it.
Sure, your weed buddy might have bragging rights because they know how to roll a joint beautifully, but that doesn’t mean you can’t achieve the same status. It just takes some patience and practice, and once you get the hang of it, you can start experimenting with the art of it.
But first, you’ve got to know the basics of how to roll a joint. So let’s take a walk through the process in the post below. And in case you need to improvise, you can make use of some nifty tips and tricks here and there. Read on!
How to Roll a Joint in 8 Easy Steps
Learning how to roll a perfect joint isn’t difficult. You just need to make the correct movements with your fingers. Really – that’s all it takes. With that, let’s learn how to roll a joint with step-by-step instructions:
1. Gather the Materials
Before you get rolling, you’ll need to bring out your stash and gather the equipment to roll a joint:
Rolling Paper
The absolutely necessary stuff for rolling a joint is the rolling paper. Typically, pot stores sell all sorts and sizes of rolling paper for joints. I suggest buying the standard size, which measures 45 – 48 mm in length as it’s easier to roll.
But if you’re puffing and passing, then get the ‘King’ size, which measures around 100 – 110 mm. It’s enough for a group of three to four people and is super easy to work with.
Filter (Crutch)
If this is your first time rolling a joint, don’t forget to buy a filter or crutch. This is the thick piece of rolled-up cardboard that goes into your mouth when you smoke. You can do without it (more on that later), but it’s a must-have for the best experience.
This is a necessary piece of equipment to roll a joint, although a lot of people just use their hands. However, if you want an even smoke, do get a grinder as it’ll evenly chop up the buds.
Some Cannabis (Duh!)
If you’re a novice at rolling a joint, select your least favorite or inexpensive strain. This way, if you waste any of it, you won’t end up getting high on regrets.
Rolling Tray
Another beginner’s tip: if you’re learning how to roll a joint, get yourself a tray – it’s going to get messy.
2. Measure the Buds
Grab your buds and separate half a gram of them for your first try. If you’ve done this a couple of times, you can use more, but 0.5 grams is a good place to start and enough for one or two people.
3. Get Grindin’
Next, open your grinder and place the buds evenly inside it. Close the lid and twist it 10 to 12 times, or till it stops resisting too much.
You don’t want your buds too powdery, or you’ll be sucking on that joint with all your might. But don’t grind them very coarsely either, or you won’t get an even smoke. Just grind it enough so that they look like fine coffee grounds.
And if you don’t have a grinder, don’t worry. Just drop your buds in a cup and use a scissor to cut them up. You could also chop them with your knife on your cutting board, but unless you want your veggies to smell like cannabis, stick to the scissor method.
4. Prepare the Crutch (Filter)
If you’ve got store-bought filters, skip this step. But for those who want a makeshift alternative, find a piece of cardboard that’s about as thick as a business card. Also, ensure that it’s not colored – you don’t want to inhale dyes.
Next, cut it into a 1.25-inch long and a quarter-of-an-inch wide piece. Now make two to three accordion folds (pleats) at the cardboard’s tip and roll the rest of it. It should look just a little thinner than a pencil.
You can carry on without a crutch, but it’s going to be a tad bit difficult rolling a joint and smoking it without one. (Read the next section to learn how to roll a joint without a filter).
5. Get Rollin’
Place the crutch at one end of the rolling paper. Use your fingers to shape the rest of the paper according to the thickness of your crutch.
Once that’s done, sprinkle your devil’s lettuce into the center of the paper (avoid the crutch). Now use your thumb and index finger to roll the paper, back and forth so that everything evens out.
At this point, decide whether you want to roll it into a cone or a penner (straight, pen-shaped). If you want to learn how to roll a joint the easy way, go with the penner style.
Tuck the glue-less side of the paper into the other side tightly, and start rolling evenly. Keep rolling until the whole thing feels firm and tight, and make sure there aren’t any creases.
The cone method is slightly advanced but carries more cannabis. Also, if you want to smoke without a crutch, then use this technique.
It involves rolling the paper very tightly by focusing only on the crutch side, leaving the other end open widely, just like a cone.
6. Even Out
Next, tap the crutch end of the joint a few times on the tray so that all the particles settle down. To pack the cannabis more tightly inside the paper, use a toothpick or something similar to stuff it deeper. You can also add more cannabis if there’s some length left.
7. Lick it and Stick it
Now for the signature stoner move. Lick the glue end of the rolling paper and roll the joint upwards till it sticks.
8. Twist
Finally, cut any extra, unused length of the paper, as this will maximize flavor. Twist the end tightly to secure everything, and that’s about it. You’ve learned how to roll a perfect joint.
How to Use A Joint Roller
If all that seems like too much work, but you still want to know how to roll a good joint, buy a simple joint roller. Follow these steps:
- Drop the crutch at one end of the roller and sprinkle the cannabis as you would normally.
- Use your index finger and thumb to pinch the roller shutter, and then roll a bit.
- Insert the rolling paper with the gum side up (and facing towards you). Don’t forget to lick it.
- Continue rolling, holding the plastic nice and taut.
- Open the roller, and voilà, there’s your beautifully rolled gem.
Last thoughts about “How to Roll the Perfect Joint”
To be honest, guides on how to roll a joint with step-by-step instructions aren’t going to help much if you don’t practice. You’ll have to roll at least 10 of them to get the hang of it, and before you can start experimenting.
So call all your buds (pun intended) and get rolling – you’re going to need some friends to smoke those failed attempts.
But once you learn how to roll a joint, there’s nothing quite like that empowering feeling. Only a pro can explain, it’s a whole art in itself, which, when done right, can leave you elated – or stoned.