How to roll a joint : a complete guide

Learn how to roll a joint seems to be one of the most frequently asked questions by lay people approaching cannabis for the first time, despite the fact that this question seems rather trivial. Joint, spliff, joint: whatever it is called, being able to roll marijuana properly is one of the most important skills a cannabis enthusiast or regular user must have.

This is because the joint is undoubtedly one of the most popular ways to take cannabis, surpassing even bongs, pipes, cylinders and modern vaporizers in terms of popularity.

The reason for this is quite simple: the joint is able to filter out a greater quantity of particles of plant matter, enhancing and making the most of all the active ingredients present such as CBD or cannabidiol and THC than a simple water pipe.

However, a well-made spliff must meet a number of absolutely essential requirements: it must burn slowly and evenly and maintain a lower temperature than an ordinary cigarette, so as not to compromise the integrity of the active ingredients, halving their benefits.

In fact, a tepid smoke allows the cannabinoids and terpenes to be enjoyed in their entirety and the characteristic effects to be appreciated in a relatively short time. In this article we will explain, step by step, what the characteristics should be to rolling a perfect joint should be, what materials are needed and how to make it quickly and easily.

It is important to bear in mind, however, that this guide is not intended to be a tool to promote cannabis consumption, but simply to provide purely informative content.

Rolling a joint

Rolling a joint is a relatively simple operation, but it is practice and perseverance that make all the difference and help you become particularly familiar with the necessary gestures. It is a real 'ritual' for cannabis enthusiasts, who pay particular attention to preparing a joint that is tasty, burns very slowly and ensures that the active ingredients of cannabis and its effects are enhanced.

It is certainly not the same as rolling a cigarette, since in this case, the necessary precautions are required to provide the user with an authentic and irreplaceable moment of relaxation.

To make a joint you first need a sufficient amount of weed, preferably dried inflorescences of very good quality: about 1g is generally sufficient, although it is possible to mix the weed with tobacco, in this case limited to 0.5g per dried plant.

While a 'puree' of weed alone is preferable in terms of flavour and intensity, this practice is not recommended if the weed is not regularly used: the joint would be too intense and the effects too pronounced.

Alternatively, it is possible to substitute cannabis for hashish, again by mixing 1g of smoke with 0.5g of tobacco.

You will also need a grinder to grind the plant material properly, preferably long papers, cardboard to prepare the filter or ready-made filter papers, which are readily available in tobacco shops.

Once you have everything you need to roll a joint, you can proceed by carefully following the next steps in this guide.

Preparing plant matter 

In order to roll a flawless joint, the dried inflorescences must first be crushed, using a grinder, small scissors or alternatively, simply using the fingers. The crushed plant matter should appear uniform and have the same consistency and grain size so that the characteristic aroma and cannabinoid-enhancing properties are more easily released when combusted.

Mixing marijuana with other possible elements

Having prepared the herb, it is now possible to mix it with any other elements. You can choose to make a mash, but also mix the inflorescences with tobacco, dried cannabis leaves or alternatively hashish or charas. Simply use your fingers and make sure that the final mixture is perfectly blended.

Preparing the filter

Then you need to prepare the filter: in this case you can use pre-packaged filters available in tobacconists' or alternatively shaped by hand using a small piece of cardboard such as the one that commonly makes up the wrapping of maps or even a simple bus ticket or any other public transport.

You need to cut out a strip about 5cm long with a maximum width of 1cm, fold one end into an 'M' and then roll the whole thing up into a fairly strong cylindrical shape.

Arrange the grass on the map

At this point you can place the plant material on the paper, laying it evenly along its length, taking care to maintain the space necessary to position the filter. In order to facilitate the manual work during the closing of the barrel, it is preferable to keep some space also on the opposite end (in this case left-handers will have to reverse the order keeping the filter on the left instead of on the right).

Using your index finger, hold the part of the paper where the glue is present while your thumbs hold the opposite surface. Continue rolling the barrel with small semi-rotating movements made with the thumb and forefinger of both hands, exactly as if you were simulating the classic gesture of indicating money, until the plant matter is perfectly aligned with the filter, also assuming a cylindrical shape.

Closing the map

When the cannabis is correctly placed along the map, the joint must be closed by twisting the edge of the joint until it overlaps the opposite edge where the glue is. It will be necessary to moisten the joint with saliva using the tongue and then make the two ends stick firmly together.

Finishing the rod

Once the rod has been rolled and closed, it is now possible to finish it by inserting through the hole opposite the filter (the one determined by the space previously kept on the left end) the vegetable matter that accidentally fell during the roll. This can be done with the little finger, but be careful not to press it too hard or compress it, which would compromise subsequent ignition.

Precisely in order to ensure a homogeneous ignition, it is advisable to fold the edges of the paper with the utmost precision: this will avoid the appearance of the so-called 'black snake' where one side of the joint ends up burning more quickly than the other, consuming the centre and causing a harsh and unpleasant smoke.

Admire what you have achieved!

Once you have understood how to roll a rod, you can admire the resulting work of art. Even if it doesn't look perfect at first glance, there is no need to worry, especially if you are a beginner. Lots of practice and patience will help you improve your dexterity and allow you to fully enjoy light marijuana, appreciating its many characteristics and nuances.

How to roll a flag joint

There are a number of techniques by which it is possible to roll a joint in a relatively simple manner: the flag technique is undoubtedly one of the best known, although it requires practice and some familiarity. Also used to make common tobacco-only cigarettes, this practice involves placing the map with the glue flap in the middle section of the joint or cigarette, so that part of the paper is removed once the closure is reached.

In reality this is not a particularly advanced procedure, but in fact it is simply an alternative method commonly used for rolling cigarettes, in order to fully appreciate the flavour of the tobacco or vegetable matter, which is otherwise corrupted by the paper itself.

Rolling a flagged cigarette is therefore not a fashion, but a system designed to avoid unnecessary combustion, obviously favouring the draught with the advantage of sucking in a lower quantity of chemical substances normally used in the whitening of paper, made similar through this treatment to that commonly used to produce the classic blondes.

Flag-rolling a rod is only possible if this procedure is carried out manually: you have to place the paper with the glue downwards, making sure that it is pointing frontwards.

During this operation, it will be necessary to proceed by inserting the tobacco as usual in the centre of the paper and then proceed with the positioning of the filter and the closure: at that moment it will be possible to notice how the glue remains in the same position even during the rotation, presenting a flap of the paper placed on the outside, the same that, once the paper is fixed, will obviously have to be removed.

Once the joint is lit, it is thanks to this very common practice that the taste of cannabis will be more appreciated, enhanced by this small device. Once again, practice plays a fundamental role: carrying out the necessary tests will allow you to acquire greater manual dexterity, perfecting the final success of the joint.