Quick answer: A joint is flower rolled in thin rolling paper. A blunt is flower rolled in a thicker wrap made from tobacco leaf or hemp, so it’s bigger and burns longer. A pre-roll is a joint (or blunt) that comes already rolled.
Joint vs blunt vs spliff vs pre-roll
| Joint | Blunt | Spliff | Pre-roll | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Wrap | Thin paper (hemp, rice, wood pulp) | Cigar leaf or hemp wrap | Paper | Paper or cone |
| Filling | Flower | Flower | Flower + tobacco | Flower, sometimes infused |
| Typical size | 0.5 to 1 g | 1 to 2 g | 0.5 to 1 g | 0.5 to 1.5 g |
| Burn | Fast, light | Slow, heavy | Medium | Even, consistent |
| Taste | Mostly the flower | Wrap adds sweet, earthy notes | Tobacco | Mostly the flower |
A note on blunts: tobacco-leaf wraps contain nicotine. Hemp wraps give you the blunt feel without tobacco.
How to roll a joint
- Grind the flower to a medium, even texture. No grinder? Break it up by hand or with scissors in a shot glass.
- Make a crutch (filter). Fold a strip of thin card into a small accordion, then roll it into a tube.
- Fill the paper. Hold the paper glue side up and away from you. Put the crutch at one end and spread the flower evenly along the crease.
- Shape it. Pinch the paper between your fingers and roll it back and forth to pack the flower into a cylinder.
- Tuck and roll. Tuck the edge closest to you under the flower, then roll up toward the glue strip.
- Seal it. Lick the glue lightly and press it closed.
- Pack and twist. Tap the open end on a table to settle the flower, then twist the tip closed.
How to roll a blunt
- Pick a wrap. Pre-made hemp or leaf wraps are easiest.
- Soften it. Lightly wet the wrap so it doesn’t crack.
- Fill it. Blunts hold more. Use 1 to 2 grams of ground flower.
- Roll and tuck just like a joint, then seal with a little moisture along the edge.
- Dry it. Run a lighter flame quickly along the outside, without burning it, to dry the seal.
Not sure how much flower you need? Our weed measurements chart shows how many joints an ounce or a pound rolls.
What are diamond-infused pre-rolls?
Infused pre-rolls add a concentrate to the flower inside, or to the outside of the paper. Diamond-infused pre-rolls use THCA diamonds, which are nearly pure THCA crystals. They burn a little slower and are stronger than a regular pre-roll.
Our THCA pre-rolls include diamond-infused 50-count packs in strains like Gumbo, Cherry Pie and Watermelon Zkittlez, plus 100-count packs of classic pre-rolls. If you want to infuse your own, see how to use crumble and diamonds.
Pre-rolls for shops
Pre-rolls are one of the easiest products to sell at a counter. Customers know what they’re getting and there’s no grinding or rolling. Buying 50 or 100 at a time keeps the cost per pre-roll low, and they’re ready to sell. Store them in a cool, dark place and sell oldest first. More tips in our retailer’s guide.
How long do pre-rolls stay fresh?
Sealed and stored well, a few months. Ground flower dries out faster than whole buds, so keep them in their tubes or pack, out of heat and light. See how to store THCA flower.
FAQ
How much flower is in a pre-roll?
Most pre-rolls hold 0.5 to 1 gram. Each product page lists the size.
Are pre-rolls made from shake?
Some are, and that’s not a bad thing if the shake is fresh and tested. Learn more in what is shake.
Why does my joint keep going out?
Usually it’s packed too loose, the flower is too moist, or it was rolled unevenly. Pack it tighter and toast the tip evenly when you light it.
Is a blunt stronger than a joint?
A blunt usually holds more flower, so there’s more to smoke. The flower inside decides the strength, not the wrap.
