How to Roll a Great Joint in 7 Easy Steps

Have you ever envied a fellow stoner's masterful doobie-making skills? Do you live somewhere where pre-rolls just aren't available? Read on to learn how to roll your joint in 7 easy steps.

Rolling the perfect joint may seem like a formidable task, but with the right tools and the right approach, you can quickly become a pro. Soon you'll be making splendid spliffs you'll be proud to show off. Here's some key information you'll want to stash away before you get started.

Choose the Right Rolling Paper

In a pinch, you can roll a makeshift joint out of just about any paper but achieving a smooth and even roll requires dedicated rolling papers. There are lots of different rolling papers readily available from both dispensaries and smoke shops. Choosing the right size and material is up to you.

For beginners, we recommend starting with standard 1-1/4" papers. Brands like Zig-Zag have been making premium rolling papers for over a hundred years. Try their best-selling ultra-slim papers made from natural ingredients.

Unbleached rolling papers from Raw are made from organic hemp plant fibers and are known for creating slow-burning joints.

Denver-based company Blazy Susan also creates fun rolling papers and accessories in a wide variety of styles.

Get a Great Weed Grinder

The secret to a steady burning joint is in using finely ground buds. When broken down into a powdery consistency, cannabis buds are not only easier to manage but will ensure that your joint burns evenly from all sides. The best way to achieve the ideal shake for joints is by using a great weed grinder.

Herb Saver weed grinder from HS Containers is the best grinder on the market. Not only does this plastic weed grinder perform beautifully for breaking down herbs, but its 4-piece design features ample storage for all your doobie-rolling needs. You can easily grind and carry both shake and kief on the go so you'll always be ready to spark up discreetly.

Ultimately, your choice of weed grinder style is up to you, but remember that achieving the perfect joint without a good grinder is not an option.

Size it Up

If you're unsure how much weed to use in your joint, a good rule of thumb is to use about a ½ gram of ground herb. This is usually enough to share among a couple of people and it's a manageable size for newbies.

If you want to puff-puff-pass a bigger joint, consider rolling with a larger paper. King-size rolling papers hold about a gram's worth and are best shared with many friends. The more you roll, the better you'll become at understanding how much weed feels right to fill a fatty.

Now that we've covered the basics, it's time to master these 7 easy steps for rolling a truly great joint:

1. Gather your supplies

Collect your cannabis, papers, and grinder on a clean surface before you start rolling. Blazy Susan rolling trays are a great way to keep yourself organized and focused on the task at hand.

Additional supplies such as rolling machines, cones, or filters can help your joint come together more smoothly. You'll also impress your buddies with your exceptional taste for smoking excellence.

2. Grind your weed

Now it's time to start grinding, my friend. The whole point of a high-quality grinder is to transform fresh flowers into powdery shakes with a simple turn of the wrist.

Place a few choice nugs within the grinder chamber with evenly spaced teeth. Once you place the lid on top and start twisting, the grinder will break down and collect the ground herb in a designated chamber where you can easily retrieve it for packing bowls and rolling jays.

3. Create a crutch

A crutch, or a filter, should be placed at one end of your joint. Some people consider this step optional, but the purpose of a crutch is to stabilize the structure of your joint and to create a sturdy mouthpiece at the joint tip. This prevents loose shake from falling out of the end once it's rolled.

You can make your filter by cleverly folding any stiff paper or cardboard with an accordion-like fold. You can also buy filter tips that are made specifically for this purpose.

4. Fill the paper

With your crutch in place, you can start filling your paper with a half gram of weed or more depending on your paper size. Remember that loading cannabis that is finely ground is a must. Overpacking your paper will make it trickier to roll and harder to burn.

It's also important to pay attention to the orientation of your paper. Rolling papers are manufactured with a thin strip of glue adhered to one edge. Arrange your paper so that the strip of glue is on the inside portion of the paper and facing you.

5. Do the rolling

When rolling a joint by hand, the best advice we can give is to pinch your paper until the weed is fully encased and then gently roll it back and forth between your fingertips. Make sure that the unglued edge of the paper gets tucked underneath so that the outside edge containing the glue is ready for sealing.

6. Seal the joint

Tacking down the outer edge of your joint requires a bit of moisture, almost like a standard envelope. One good lick along the glued edge should be enough to seal the paper and create a nice, snug joint.

Try starting at the end with the crutch and work your way down the seam. This can be the make-or-break moment in the joint-rolling process, so don't feel bad if it takes a few tries before you get the hang of it.

7. Pack it down & Enjoy!

If you've done everything right, you should still have one open end of your joint. Go ahead and pack down any loose leaf with a pen or small stick to ensure an even burn.

Congratulations! You've just learned how to roll the perfect joint! Spark up that baby and enjoy responsibly.