When it comes to smoking cannabis, everyone has their favorite way to roll up. The age-old debate of joint vs blunt vs spliff has sparked countless discussions among enthusiasts. Each method offers a unique experience, from the classic simplicity of joints to the cannabis cigars known as blunts and the hybrid nature of spliffs. Understanding these differences can have an influence on how people choose to consume their favorite herb. Whether you’re team joint, blunt, or spliff, it’s all about finding your way to enjoy your favorite flower!

Joints: The Classic Cannabis Roll

What is a Joint?

The primary ingredient in a joint is dried cannabis flower, which is ground up and rolled up in cigarette form, typically with thin rolling paper made of materials like hemp, rice, or wood pulp. Joints are usually hand-rolled, although machine-rolled options are available and simple to use. Joints have been a popular method of consuming cannabis for centuries, with their use documented as early as the mid-1850s among Mexican laborers.

The size of a joint can vary, but it typically contains between 0.25 and 1 gram of cannabis. Joints are often shared among friends, making them a social way to enjoy cannabis. In dispensaries joints are usually labeled as pre-rolls and come in a variety of strains and potency!

Rolling a Joint

Rolling a joint is considered an art form that requires practice and patience to master. To begin, you’ll need rolling papers, cannabis, and optionally, a filter or crutch. Here’s a basic process:

1. Use a cannabis grinder to break down the buds to an even texture. This ensures a smooth, even burn.
2. Create a filter or “crutch” by folding a small piece of cardboard into an accordion shape, then roll it into a cylinder. This acts as a mouthpiece and prevents inhaling loose plant material.
3. Hold the paper with the adhesive strip facing up. Place the crutch at one end and evenly distribute the ground cannabis along the length of the paper.
4. Gently roll the paper back and forth between your fingers to pack and shape the cannabis evenly.
5. Tuck the non-adhesive side of the paper around the cannabis, then roll it up and seal with the adhesive strip by licking it lightly.
6. Use the tip of a pen or stick to pack down the cannabis through the open end, then twist the end closed to secure the joint.
7. Spark up and enjoy!

Why People Love Joints

Joints are a favorite among cannabis enthusiasts because they are a simple and convenient form of smoking for those who don’t have equipment like pipes or vaporizers. Rolling and sharing a joint is a communal activity, encouraging social connections among users. Joints are portable and easy to share, making them a popular choice for group settings. Joints alllow for a pure cannabis experience with full flavor. Also, joints can be customized in size and potency, giving users control over their consumption.

While joints offer the purest cannabis flavor, let’s see how blunts change the game with their bold, distinctive taste.

Blunts: The Cannabis Cigar

What is a Blunt?

Cannabis blunts are crafted with cigar wraps instead of traditional rolling paper. These wraps, often made from tobacco leaves, offer a unique flavor and aroma to the smoking experience. Traditionally, It’s made by hollowing out a cigar or cigarillo and replacing the tobacco with cannabis. Many dispensaries now offer wraps made from hemp or other non-tobacco materials. These wraps add their own unique flavor and slow-burning qualities, making them a popular choice for those who enjoy a more extended smoking session.

Blunts have gained popularity since the 1980s, offering a robust flavor and slow burn compared to joints.

How to Roll a Blunt

Rolling a blunt requires some practice and patience. Here’s a basic process:

1. Choose a cigar or blunt wrap, such as a Swisher Sweets, White Owl, or a specialized blunt wrap. The choice of wrap will affect the flavor, burn rate, and overall experience.
2. Use a knife, blade, or your fingers to carefully split the cigar down the middle lengthwise. Once split, empty out the tobacco inside.
3. Use a grinder to break down your cannabis into a medium, slightly chunky texture.
4. Lightly moisten the wrap with your tongue or a little water to make it more flexible and prevent cracking in the rolling process.
5. Spread the ground cannabis evenly along the center of the wrap. Adjust the amount based on your preferred thickness and potency, but 1-2 grams is common for a standard blunt.
6. Tuck the bottom edge of the wrap under the cannabis, then start rolling upward with your fingers, shaping the blunt as you go. Be careful not to roll too tightly, as this can restrict airflow, or too loosely, as this can cause uneven burning. Lick the edge of the wrap to seal it securely.
7. “Bake” the blunt by lightly running a lighter along the seam. This helps the wrap dry and harden slightly, securing the seal and ensuring the blunt stays intact.

Why People Love Blunts

Blunts have earned their spot in the cannabis world thanks to their slow, steady burn. The tobacco wrap gives an extra kick, and let’s not forget the unique flavors you can get from flavored wraps. Plus, with their larger size, blunts pack more cannabis into each roll, upping the potency for a bold and memorable smoking session that’s a cut above your average joint.

The rich, smoky flavor of blunts adds a unique twist to the cannabis experience, but if you’re curious about a smooth blend of flavor, spliffs bring a whole new dimension to your smoke.

Spliffs: The Tobacco-Cannabis Hybrid

What is a Spliff?

Spliffs are a go-to for those who like a little mix in their smoke. A spliff is a unique combination of cannabis and tobacco rolled in cigarette paper. Unlike joints, which contain only cannabis, or blunts, which use tobacco leaf wraps but just cannabis on the inside, the inside of a spliff is a hybrid. The ratio of tobacco to cannabis in a spliff can vary based on personal preference, allowing smokers to customize their experience.  Combining cannabis with tobacco brings about a faster buzz and a slightly more energetic feel.

Originating from Jamaican culture, the term “spliff” has gained popularity worldwide. In some European countries, spliffs are more common than pure cannabis joints. This blend has a significant influence on the smoking experience, often resulting in a different high compared to smoking cannabis alone.

Creating a Spliff

To roll a spliff, you’ll need rolling papers, tobacco (you can use loose-leaf tobacco or tobacco from a cigarette), cannabis from your favorite dispensary, and optionally, a filter tip. Here’s a basic process:

1. Grind the cannabis to a consistent texture by using a cannabis grinder.
2. Mix the desired ratio of tobacco and cannabis. In a small dish or tray, combine your ground cannabis and tobacco. The ratio can be adjusted to your preference. A common mix is 50/50, but some people prefer more cannabis and less tobacco, or the other way around.
3. Place the rolling paper on a flat surface with the adhesive strip facing up and on the top edge. Place the mixture in the rolling paper.
4. Roll the paper around the mixture, tucking and sealing as you go. Insert a filter tip if desired.
5. To ensure an even burn, tap the open end of the spliff on a flat surface or use a small tool to pack the mixture slightly. Twist the open end to seal it off.

Why People Love Spliffs

Spliffs offer a smoother smoking experience for some users, thanks to the blend of tobacco and cannabis. This mix also creates a unique high, combining the effects of nicotine with cannabinoids for a distinctive buzz that stands apart from smoking pure cannabis. Spliffs can be more discreet, too, as the addition of tobacco often masks the potent smell of cannabis, making them less noticeable in public settings. Plus adding tobacco stretches your stash further, letting you enjoy your cannabis longer. The key to a good spliff lies in the balance between tobacco and cannabis. Experimentation with different ratios can help find the perfect blend for individual tastes.

Conclusion

The world of cannabis consumption offers a variety of methods, each with its own unique characteristics and effects. Joints, blunts, and spliffs provide different experiences, catering to diverse preferences and social settings. In the end, it’s all about personal preference. Whether you’re seeking the stimulating blend of a spliff, the slow burn of a blunt, or the convenience of a pre-roll, each method provides a different way to enjoy your cannabis experience. At our dispensary, we’re happy to help you explore and find the perfect fit for your next session!

Disclaimer: the information provided in this document is for informational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.

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