Quick answer: A Thai stick is a cigar-shaped roll of cannabis buds packed around a thin stick, wrapped in cannabis fan leaves and tied with string, then cured for weeks. The style comes from Thailand and became famous in the U.S. in the 1960s and 1970s. You can make one at home with THCA flower, a bamboo skewer, fan leaves or hemp wraps, and cotton string.
Long before pre-rolls and blunts, the Thai stick was the luxury way to smoke. It is slow-burning, smooth and a fun project if you have a few weeks to let it cure.
What is a Thai stick?
A traditional Thai stick has three parts: a stick in the middle, buds packed tightly around it, and an outer wrap of fan leaves held on with string. After it dries, the string comes off and you smoke it like a cigar. Some makers also brush the outside with hash oil or roll it in kief.
Where did Thai sticks come from?
Thai sticks come from northeastern Thailand, where growers tied buds to stems to dry and transport them. U.S. servicemen and travelers brought them home during the Vietnam War era, and by the 1970s Thai sticks had a reputation as some of the best cannabis around. They faded as growers moved indoors and sold loose buds instead.
What you need to make a Thai stick
- 7 to 14 grams of sticky THCA flower (fresh, slightly moist buds work best)
- A bamboo skewer or a clean, dry stem
- Fan leaves, or hemp wraps or rolling papers if you don’t have leaves
- Unwaxed cotton or hemp string
- Optional: kief or a small amount of concentrate
- A paper bag or glass jar for curing
How to make a Thai stick, step by step
- Prepare the buds. Break flower into small, sticky pieces. Don’t grind it into dust.
- Wrap the skewer. Press buds firmly around the skewer, leaving about an inch bare on one end. Squeeze them together so they stick.
- Tie it tight. Wind string tightly from one end to the other to compress the buds into a solid log.
- Let it rest. Leave it tied overnight in a cool, dry place.
- Add the wrap. Remove the string, wrap the log in fan leaves or a hemp wrap, then tie it again.
- Cure it. Put it in a paper bag or jar for 1 to 3 weeks. Open it once a day so it doesn’t trap moisture. Check for any mold.
- Finish it. Remove the string. Some people slide the skewer out to create an airflow channel; others leave it in and burn around it.
Want an extra-strong stick? Coat the outside with kief before the final wrap. Read about kief in What Is Hash?
How to smoke a Thai stick
Light the end evenly, the way you would a cigar, and take slow puffs. A good Thai stick burns slowly and can be shared by a group over a long session. If you removed the skewer, the hole down the middle helps it draw.
Thai stick vs joint vs blunt vs moon rocks
| What it is | Time to make | Burn | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Thai stick | Whole buds around a stick, wrapped in leaves | Weeks | Very slow |
| Joint | Ground flower in rolling paper | Minutes | Medium |
| Blunt | Ground flower in a tobacco or hemp leaf wrap | Minutes | Slow |
| Moon rocks | Buds dipped in concentrate and rolled in kief | Ready-made | Slow, very strong |
Short on time? Try our moon rocks or ready-made THCA pre-rolls, and learn to roll in Joint vs Blunt vs Pre-Roll.
Thai stick FAQ
Why is it called a Thai stick?
Because the style comes from Thailand, and the buds are packed around a stick.
How long does a Thai stick take to make?
About 30 minutes of work, then 1 to 3 weeks of curing.
Are Thai sticks stronger than joints?
Not by nature. They use the same flower. Adding kief or concentrate makes them stronger, and they hold far more flower than a joint.
For adults 21+.
