There are a lot of ways to consume cannabis, but smoking a joint or a blunt is the most classic. But if you’re newer to smoking or typically only buy pre-rolls, you might not know how to roll a joint or blunt. Don’t worry, Lake Effect is here to help.

What is a Joint?

A joint is ground-up cannabis flower wrapped in a rolling paper. It’s usually not very big (most joints hold about a third of a gram of marijuana, but has potential to hold more depending on the size of your rolling paper).

What is a Blunt?

A blunt is ground cannabis flower rolled into a blunt wrap or a cigar. They’re often bigger than joints, holding 1-2 grams of weed. The size helps them burn slower and last longer than a joint, which means more hits for you and your friends.

The Difference Between Joints and Blunts

Though joints and blunts are both weed cigarettes used for smoking, any stoner will tell you that there are a few notable differences between the two methods.

The biggest difference is that blunts contain tobacco and joints do not. Other differences are:

• The type of rolling paper used.
  • Joints use rolling paper and blunts use tobacco-based paper.
• The size.
  • Blunts are most often longer and thicker than joints, meaning they can hold more shake (AKA small pieces of cannabis that have broken off of the flower) and ground cannabis
• The way they’re rolled.
  • Blunts are often more challenging to roll because rolling paper is easier to work with than tobacco paper.

How to Roll a Joint

If you’re a new smoker, start rolling joints using this step-by-step guide.

You’ll need:

• Your weed of choice
• Rolling papers
• A crutch for the joint tip
• A weed grinder
• A pen, chopstick, or something of similar size to pack the joint

Step 1: Grind Your Cannabis

Use a grinder to grind your cannabis, as this helps it remain consistent and burn evenly. If you don’t have a grinder, you can always use scissors or your fingers to tear it up. You can also use shake from the bottom of your weed container, as it’s usually smaller.

Step 2: Make a Crutch/Filter

To make a crutch, create a few accordion folds on your paper and roll the crutch to how thick you want your joint to be. You can make crutches out of a number of materials, like business cards, rolling paper packs, or thin pieces of cardboard, but we like to use filter tips.

You don’t necessarily need a crutch when you smoke, but having one allows you to smoke the entire joint without burning your fingertips. It also keeps your weed from falling out.

Step 3: Fill It Up

Place your crutch at one end of the rolling paper, then fill it with weed. After you add anywhere from a half gram to one full gram, shape the joint with your fingers.

Step 4: Roll It

After you shape the joint, roll the paper. Pinch it between your fingertips and roll it back and forth until the joint reaches a cone shape.

Step 5: Seal It

Sealing might just be the most important step. To seal your joint, tuck the unglued side of the paper into the roll, roll it in, then lick the edge of the glued side to tack it down. Pro tip: don’t use very much saliva – a small amount of moisture will do the trick.

Start with the end of the joint that has the crutch, because the crutch will guide the paper as it rolls. After the paper is sealed at one end, work your way down the joint and seal it the rest of the way.

Step 6: Pack It

To make sure you’ve got an even burn, pack the open end of the joint with your pen, chopstick, or other tool. If you don’t plan on smoking right away, just twist that open end shut and save it for later.

You probably won’t be a pro at rolling a joint for the first few tries, but the more you practice, the better you’ll get. Pretty soon, you’ll have it down to a science.

How to Roll a Blunt

Rolling a blunt is somewhat similar to rolling a joint – at least, the same idea is there. But there are some key differences to make note of.

You’ll need:

• Your weed of choice
• A cigar, cigarillo, or a blunt wrap
• A weed grinder
• A razor blade, if you need to break open a cigar or cigarillo

Step 1: Grind the Cannabis

Grinding your weed creates a consistent material that burns evenly, just like it does in a joint. If you decide to use your hands to break it up, though, the blunt will typically burn slower – which some people prefer.

Step 2: Prep the Wrap

Stoners have been emptying cigarillos to use as wraps for years, but getting blunt wraps is easier than ever. If you decide not to use a wrap, you can either crack the cigar/cigarillo with your fingers or cut it open with a razor blade. After it’s open, empty out the tobacco and either discard it or save it for later if you like to smoke spliffs.

Step 3: Wet the Wrap

Wetting the blunt wrap seals any small tears that might pop up while you’re emptying or rolling it. You can use saliva or simply dip your finger into a bit of tap water.

Step 4: Fill It

Fill your empty cigar/cigarillo or blunt wrap with cannabis. For standard cigarillos, 1-2 grams is plenty. If you’re using a blunt wrap, sharing with others, or if you’re an especially skilled roller, you might be able to fit a little more.

Step 5: Roll It

Roll the blunt between your fingers and pack it evenly, making sure it’s moist enough – otherwise, it might crack. And no one wants that!

Once the blunt is rolled and shaped, tuck the wrap into itself, wet the exposed edge, then smooth out any wrinkles with your fingers.

Step 6: Bake It

Bake your blunt by running a lighter down the seam and around the outside. The heat encourages an even burn. Just make sure not to hold it too close, because you don’t want the flame to catch it.

Once your blunt is baked, you’re ready to get baked yourself!

Come See Us At Lake Effect

If you’ve never smoked weed before, or if it’s been a while since you last smoked, it’s helpful to learn how to roll a joint. It’s a classic and fun way to consume cannabis, especially if you’re smoking with friends.

At Lake Effect, we’re ready to serve all of your cannabis needs. We operate two locations — one in Kalamazoo and and one in Portage, with the Kalamazoo location open 24 hours a day. We also have delivery options available!

Stop in and see us, check out our website, or get in touch; we’re glad to answer any more questions that you might have!

(We’re also glad to offer you some amazing discounts – just as long as you sign up for them!)