How to Roll a Joint 101

Level 1: BEGINNERS

With Canada being one of only two countries that has recently legalized and decriminalized recreational and medicinal use of cannabis on a federal level, we are seeing an influx of new members to the cannabis community. We owe it to our new community members to pass on the basics of toking. How to roll a joint – a staple mark of the cannabis industry since its waking days.

Even if you are an experienced toker, perhaps you have yet to familiarize yourself with joint-rolling. Well, the time is nigh!

How to Roll a Basic Joint

First off, you will need the following in order to roll your first doobie:

• Half a gram of cannabis (this is the typical amount of cannabis that goes into your average joint)

Note that if you're dry and needing to pick up, you can always take advantage of our same day delivery options near you at www.leafythings.com. 

• Rolling papers (note that there is a vast variety of papers that you can purchase – from, different sizes, to different flavours, to different types of paper.)
• A grinder (I suggest that a grinder is an essential in everyone’s cannabis collection, however if you don’t have one, you can use scissors or by hand)
• A piece of cardboard for filter (I usually use a snippet from the pack of papers, however you can buy pre-made filters your local shops)
• A lighter or matches

Step 1: Break Down that Nug

a. Break down the nugget into smaller pieces and place within the grinder as shown below.

Note that some strains tend to be more sticky, and may be more challenging to grind

Step 2: Creating a Filter (if you do not have pre-made filters available)

Filters help ensure that you do not get a mouthful of weed residue in your mouth. If you do not have pre-made filters, you can make your own with a piece of cardboard.

You can make filters out of the following:

• An empty cigarette pack
• Business cards (thinner ones)
• Dye free file folders
• Index cards
• Cereal box

a. Cut a thin strip of cardboard (approximately 1 inch long and 5 cm wide)

b. Take the strip between your thumb and your pointer finger with your dominant hand and fold the first few millimeters of it a few times and then proceed to roll it up in the same direction, creating a perfect cylinder

Step 3: Fill the paper

a. Place the filter you just created on one side of the paper. Ensure that the sticky part of the paper is on the upper side and pointed towards you

b. Fill the paper with the weed that you had ground, leaving a little less at the end with the filter

Step 4: Roll it

This step is often the most challenging for beginners. Don’t worry – practice makes perfect!

a. Take the non-sticky side and pinch it together with the adjacent side

b. Begin forming the joint by carefully pressing and pushing the weed together, while slowly rolling the paper up and down. Make sure the non-sticky flap is underneath the sticky side

c. Once you have your desired shape, lick the sticky part of the paper complete the roll

Step 5: Tighten it up, Knot it off and Light it up!

a. Use a cigarette filter, or something similar in shape and use it to pack down your pot more tightly at the top. Twist the extra paper.

b. Light it up!

And there you have it – the perfect basic joint.

Check in Soon for Joint Rolling Level 2

If you're really not feeling up for rolling your own joint, you can always order Pre-Rolled Joints at HighRollas.